Last updated October 2026
Wairakei is a small settlement and geothermal area approximately 9 kilometres north of Taupō on the banks of the Waikato River. It lies within the Taupō Volcanic Zone and features two major geothermal developments: the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station and Wairakei Resort.
The settlement was established to house workers from the power station and the nearby Aratiatia hydro power station. Visitors come for the industrial geothermal landscape, resort facilities, and proximity to the Aratiatia Rapids.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 1,410, up 5% since 2018
- Land area
- 82.49 km²
- Location
- 9.1 km north of central Taupō
- Council
- Taupo District Council
- Ward or local board
- Taupō East Rural General Ward (Taupō District Council)
- Getting there
- State Highway 1 and State Highway 5, about 9 km north of Taupō
- Nearby landmarks
- Wairakei Geothermal Power Station, Wairakei Resort, Aratiatia Rapids, Huka Falls
Who Lives in Wairakei
About 1,410 residents in 460 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
Schools in Wairakei
One school sits inside the Wairakei boundary. It has an enrolment zone, so check an address is in zone before you buy or rent.
Also zoned for Wairakei
Source: Ministry of Education school directory and enrolment zones (CC BY 4.0 and CC BY 3.0 NZ), October 2026. Zones change, so confirm with the school before relying on one.
Bin Day in Wairakei
Taupō District Council sets collection days street by street. Look up your address to get your day and which bins go out.
Find your bin day and what goes in each binSafety and Hazards
About the Taupō average for the number of people who live here. Another 23 reports were at shops and businesses.
Sources: NZ Police victimisation data, CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026 (crimes inside homes are only published for burglary).
Buses from Wairakei
4 bus stops inside the suburb.
Source: Waikato Regional Council Busit timetable data. Typical weekday daytime frequency.
Handy Facilities
Source: Taupō District Council public toilets; NZTA EVRoam charging sites.
Weather and Rent at a Glance
Sources: NIWA climate averages 1991-2020 (via Figure.NZ); Tenancy Services rental bond data (MBIE), CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026. City-wide figures.
In Wairakei
Places and businesses inside the official Wairakei boundary.
Places
Show 1 more place
About Wairakei
Wairakei sits in a geothermal valley shaped by the same volcanic system that powers much of the central North...
Wairakei sits in a geothermal valley shaped by the same volcanic system that powers much of the central North Island’s hot springs and geysers. The area developed around mid-20th century energy projects that harnessed underground steam and hot water.
The Wairakei Geothermal Power Station was commissioned in November 1958 and ranks among the world’s earliest commercial geothermal plants using flash steam technology. A visible network of pipes carries steam across the landscape, highlighting the industrial scale of the operation.
Wairakei Resort occupies a thermal valley beside the Waikato River and offers geothermally heated pools, a golf course, restaurant, and accommodation options. The resort draws on the same geothermal resource that feeds the power station.
The Geothermal Power Station
The Wairakei Geothermal Power Station draws steam and hot water from the Wairakei geothermal field.
The Wairakei Geothermal Power Station draws steam and hot water from the Wairakei geothermal field. It was one of the first large-scale commercial geothermal facilities worldwide and remains an active contributor to New Zealand’s renewable energy supply. The station’s infrastructure, including the extensive pipe network, forms a distinctive feature visible from nearby roads.
Wairakei Resort
Wairakei Resort Taupō provides accommodation, dining, and leisure facilities including two geothermally heated...
Wairakei Resort Taupō provides accommodation, dining, and leisure facilities including two geothermally heated swimming pools, outdoor hot tubs, a 9-hole golf course, tennis courts, and a spa. The property sits amid forested slopes in the thermal valley and has operated for decades as one of the larger resort complexes in the region.
Aratiatia Rapids
The Aratiatia Rapids lie a short drive east of Wairakei along the Waikato River.
The Aratiatia Rapids lie a short drive east of Wairakei along the Waikato River. Controlled releases from the Aratiatia Dam several times daily create dramatic white-water flows visible from lookouts. Summer releases occur at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm; winter releases occur at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. The site offers free public viewing and connects to local walking tracks.
Near Wairakei
Just outside Wairakei, within 10 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia – Wairakei Power Station: Detailed history and technical information on the geothermal station.
Wairakei Resort Taupō: Official site with details on accommodation, facilities, and bookings.
Aratiatia Rapids: Current dam release times and visitor information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wairakei?
Approximately 9 km north of Taupō on the Waikato River, along the route toward Huka Falls and Aratiatia Rapids.
What is Wairakei known for?
The Wairakei Geothermal Power Station commissioned in 1958, Wairakei Resort, and its position in the Taupō Volcanic Zone near the Aratiatia Rapids.
When was the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station commissioned?
November 1958; it was one of the world’s earliest commercial geothermal power stations using flash steam technology.
What facilities does Wairakei Resort offer?
Geothermally heated pools, golf course, restaurant, spa, and accommodation in a thermal valley setting.
When are the Aratiatia Rapids releases?
Summer (October–March): 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm. Winter (April–September): 10am, 12pm, 2pm. Viewing is free from public lookouts.
Is Wairakei suitable for day trips from Taupō?
Yes, the short drive allows easy visits to the power station area, resort facilities, and Aratiatia Rapids in a single outing.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Explore Taupō only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Wairakei is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.