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Story: Geothermal energy

Opening Wairākei power station

Video file

The opening of Wairākei geothermal power station in 1958 signified a major technical advance. It was the first time that geothermal steam had been used to generate power in New Zealand, and only the second time in the world.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: Pictorial Parade 82. National Film Unit, 1958

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

Carol Stewart, Geothermal energy – Wairākei geothermal power station, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/5426/opening-wairakei-power-station (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Carol Stewart, published 2 March 2009.