Aratiatia Rapids

Aratiatia Power Station was completed in 1964, becoming the first hydro-electric power station on the Waikato River. As the water travels through the dam the energy of the water is harnessed to create hydro-electric energy,

Today there are a total of 9 hydro-electric power stations on the Waikato River, including the Aratiatia Power Station which is now, not only the oldest, but the smallest of all. Don’t let that fool you though it still produces a total kilowatt output of 84,000kw and enough energy to power 15,000 New Zealand homes all by itself!

Mercury Energy releases water from the Aratiatia Dam, through a bypass of the Power Station, down the Aratiatia Rapids multiple times a day so visitors can enjoy the rapids as they once were before the dam was built.

A minimum of 65,000 litres of water per second is released. It takes approximately 15 minutes to fill to its full capacity and re-creates what was considered Australasia’s largest rapids - dropping 28 metres in just one kilometre.

The Aratiatia Rapids were also used in the filming of the barrel scene in Peter Jackson's movie, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

This has become one of the top free tourist attractions in Taupo.

The gates open daily at:

10am

12pm

2pm

4pm (Summer Months Only)

Huka Falls River Cruise trips depart 30 minutes after the gates open. So you have plenty of time to enjoy the raging rapids before or after your cruise with us!