THS Talks: Omanawa Falls Power Station by Ben Pick

Auckland-born archaeologist and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Lower Northern area manager Ben Pick is responsible for managing the Tauranga office, engaging with key stakeholders in the area, along with promoting heritage within the region.

In this talk, he will tell us about the Omanawa Falls Power Station (1915-1998), the first underground hydro-electric power station in the Southern Hemisphere. Lloyd Mandeno OBE (1888-1973) was in charge of the Station which was completed on 28 August 1915. On 2 October 1915 Electrical street lighting in Tauranga was switched, replacing existing gas lamps.

Ben with share with us the work going into this Historic Place Category 2, in conjunction with Tauranga City Council, and the plans to open the site to the public. Koha entry.