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Story: Energy supply and use

Expanding network, 1930

In this map the electricity network can be seen extending into farming areas. Canterbury, Otago and Southland, like Waikato, the Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Rangitīkei and Wairarapa, were electrified relatively early. The first farms had been electrified in the early 1890s. Remote areas of the country (Northland, the East Cape and the West Coast) were not yet connected in 1930. Farmers could use electricity for heating, lighting and running machinery. Some set up their own small hydro schemes rather than wait for the network to reach them.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: Malcolm McKinnon, ed. Bateman New Zealand historical atlas: ko Papatuanuku e takoto nei. Auckland: David Bateman, 1997, plate 88

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How to cite this page

Megan Cook, Energy supply and use – Electricity, late 19th to mid-20th century, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/21443/expanding-network-1930 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Megan Cook, published 12 April 2010.

Comments

Henry Willebald
27 August 2016
My name is Henry Willebald, and I am full professor in the Universidad de la República, Uruguay. My current research is about the expansion of electricity system in Uruguay and the comparison with other international experiences. New Zealand is, precisely, very interesting for our project. The representation of the network that you present in this map –and that I had seen in McKinnon (1997) some years ago– is an excellent work. I wonder me if you have that information in ArcGIS format or you can indicate me where I could find it. Thank you very much Best wishes Henry Willebald