Manapōuri Power Station 50th Documentary

In 2021 we met with some of the amazing people that helped build the Manapōuri Power Station over 50 years ago, and with the incredible Fiordland community we’re proud to be part of. Watch as they document this moment in time and we recognise the impact of New Zealand’s biggest renewable energy power station.

[helentaylor]

This brings back great memories. After the completion, the accommodation was given to the then Education Board for schools to camp at. I was with the second school to camp there, such an awesome time. Going on the launch from Te Anau across the lake, being met by lots of kea and bussing over the Wilmont pass. Rowing out in dingys and setting lines for tuna. We actually caught one and had it for breakfast. Tramping up the hanging valley with moss a foot or so deep. The waterfalls (Helena) would magically spring up all over the place when it rained. A once in a life time camp and my children and grand children have also been lucky enough enjoy this part of the world. Great memories.

[Kiwi_Mike]

As someone who has spent a lot of time at Lake Manapouri especially in my younger years camping and boating, this video has brought back a lot of very good memories. Was very lucky to have been guided through the power station control room and down the service lift into the generator hall back in the late 80's. A very interesting and well made documentary about it's construction. Great work - thank you 👍

[mirandaanderson]

This was very interesting to watch. Sometimes you forget what has happened behind the scenes and in the past just so I can now turn on a light.

[retimixshotcrete]

Love the old school, put me in those times any day

[davidchartres]

Fantastic ! what a great project, that NZ can truly be proud of.

[rogercampbell]

Well Done . We did a trip to Doubtful Sound from Manapouri by boat and coach over Wilmott Pass in 2023. Would have loved to do a tour of the power station this doco gives a great insight into the whole Manapouri Hydro scheme.

[philn]

My father Earle Nunn was on construction from start to finish mid 1960 -1971 he lived in the new hydro site with mum and my sister two years before I was born, Dad was a operator at the station as well, I remember going to work with Dad and sleeping in the rag bins down by the generators, we moved to the Hydro Village after the Construction from 1971 to 1979 in October that year we moved to Christchurch, I was 6 years and dad continued to work for NZED, Alstrom, Transfield Services before his retirement 2015 after 50 years of service to NZ Electricity.

[MikeBowles-wu]

so very interesting, i thank you for a fantastic doco

[loskop]

Great to see the early days at Deep Cove as my father worked there as a surveyor, his first job was to survey the mooring points for the Wanganellas arrival, and it was good to see what it was like there. He was always complaining about the rain and mud and how they used to have to use D8 dozers to get around until Utah bought some bren gun carriers. I kept a close eye out but I didn't see him pictured anywhere. Thanks for the upload.

[joebeech]

Very good doco. Thanks. Loved hearing the old tunnellers recounting their experiences.
Our parents took us to visit the system in the early 70’s. Really look forward to a return visit soon👍

[bayrockwhk]

Fascinating!
And they managed to make this complete documentary without using "Damn the dam" on the soundtrack.
Those of us who were aware of environmental issues back in the day remember the societal shift that this project caused.
What we take for granted

[ianlindsay]

Keith you showed "me and my mate", engineering students, around Benmore some years later and we were on the 7th floor of Rutherford House together briefly in the days when the planned electricity supply curve was well above the planned demand curve. Can we save Manapouri power for ordinary NZers to keep the lights on? Thanks for the awesome video, makes me proud to be a little part of it all.

[briandalrymple]

I can remember being on a guided tour as a group of sparkies way back in the 70s. We got into places normally “restricted”. This was because we were in the industry, and our tour guide was generous.
The stark memory I have was when they were testing some newly installed air break switches in the transformer yard whilst we were there.
I thought world war 3 had started as the booms from the air switch blasts echoed around the mountains.
Goodness knows how that affected the native birds, but wow, about 7 echoes per test. It was wonderful.

[michaelhaugh-fzmj]

My father worked on this and i vaguely remember living in the camp

[Footrotflats]

I’m 50 years one thing has stayed the same, the drying room 😂 albeit slightly more modern than a hook, rope and pulley

[t.v.fjordland]

We are still waiting for a Tourist Trip dedicated to New Zealand's Greatest Engineering Project as well as a Museum of Artifacts stored at Manapouri... but not indefinitely.

[carfluence]

cool place. been there on the way to doubtful sound

[gregwaghorn]

My father placed the steel in this Dam.

[richardorsulich]

Sadly, there is no way we could build this now.

[redtussock]

Why this isn't rejoiced by the green movement in NZ, as a magnificent example of sustainable power and industry scheme, beggars belief. Tiwai produces the highest quality Aluminium, and it's done using sustainable hydropower. If that is not a green crown to celebrate in NZ, then they lack any credibility.