Wairakei is a small settlement and geothermal area 8 kilometres north of Taupō, on the banks of the Waikato River. It sits within the Taupō Volcanic Zone and is defined by two of New Zealand’s most significant geothermal developments: the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station (one of the world’s first commercial geothermal power stations, opened 1958) and Wairakei Resort, a large resort hotel on the river. The small residential village at Wairakei was built to house workers from both the power station and the nearby Aratiatia hydro power station.
Practical Information
| Location | 8 km north of Taupō on the Waikato River, on SH1/SH5 |
| Settlement type | Small worker village and resort area — not a residential suburb in the standard sense |
| Key features | Wairakei Geothermal Power Station, Wairakei Resort, Aratiatia Rapids (nearby) |
| Area | Wairakei Village: 0.36 km² (small rural settlement) |
| Distance from Taupō | 8 km north — approximately 10 minutes by road |
The Geothermal Power Station
The Wairakei Geothermal Power Station was one of the world’s first commercial geothermal power stations, commissioned in 1958. The visible network of pipes carrying steam from underground to the turbines remains a distinctive feature of the landscape along the Wairakei Road. The station draws on the same volcanic geothermal system that underlies the broader Taupō Volcanic Zone — the same system that creates the geysers, hot pools, and boiling mud pools found throughout the central North Island.
Wairakei Resort
Wairakei Resort Taupō is a large resort hotel in a geothermal valley on the banks of the Waikato River, comprising thermally heated pools, spa pools, a golf course, restaurant, and accommodation. It is one of the larger resort properties in the North Island and has operated in the area for several decades. The geothermal heating of the pools uses the same natural resource as the power station.
Aratiatia Rapids
The Aratiatia Rapids — a spectacular section of the Waikato River where controlled dam releases create a dramatic rush of white water — are a short drive east of Wairakei. Release times are scheduled throughout the day. Wairakei is also the northern end of the Great Lake Walkway, Taupō’s lakeside cycling and walking trail.
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia – Wairakei — history of the geothermal power station, the village, and the wider area.
Wairakei Resort Taupō — accommodation, pools, spa, and golf at the resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wairakei?
8 km north of Taupō on the Waikato River — on the route toward Huka Falls and Aratiatia Rapids, off SH1/SH5.
What is Wairakei known for?
The Wairakei Geothermal Power Station (one of the world’s first commercial geothermal plants, 1958), Wairakei Resort, and its position in the Taupō Volcanic Zone. The Aratiatia Rapids are a short drive east.
What is Wairakei Resort?
A large resort hotel on the Waikato River with thermally heated pools, spa, golf course, and restaurant — one of the North Island’s major resort properties.
What are the Aratiatia Rapids?
A controlled-release section of the Waikato River where dam gates are opened several times daily to create white-water rapids — a popular spectacle a short drive from Wairakei.
Wairakei is on the northern end of the Great Lake Walkway. The Huka Falls are 2 km south of Wairakei along the river.