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Story: Bush trams and other log transport

Kauri dam

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Kauri dam

This dam is in the Kopowai River, Mercury Bay. The double gate was designed to let the water rush away quickly and give strength to the construction. The gates have been closed to allow the dam to refill, and a large kauri log has been caught in one of the spillways. Over 8 million metres of kauri have been driven through this dam.

Using this item

The Kauri Museum, Matakohe, Tudor Collins Collection

Reference: I_1993_224_463_2

by Tudor Collins

Permission must be obtained from The Kauri Museum before this image is stored, reproduced, or altered in any form for any purpose.

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How to cite this page

Paul Mahoney, Bush trams and other log transport – Moving kauri: dams and rafting, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12246/kauri-dam (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Paul Mahoney, published 1 March 2009.