Italian tunnellers travel out of the Tongariro scheme’s Moawhango tunnel, which runs under the Kaimanawa range. A number of New Zealand’s hydroelectric schemes were built with the help of specialist construction crew from other countries. Above the tunnel portal is Santa Barbara, the patron saint of tunnellers, and warning notices in both Italian and English. The Tongariro scheme’s safety record was exceptional, with only two deaths in tunnels, and none in the particularly difficult Moawhango tunnel.
Using this item
Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PA-Group-00685)
Reference: EP-Energy-Hydro Electricity-Tongariro Hydro Scheme-02
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.