The Waitaki dam control room, still in its original state
75 years after it was built, is examined by one of the tour
groups who enjoyed the opportunity of a public open day
yesterday to mark the anniversary. Photo by David Bruce.
At 75 years old, the "grand lady" still has it, pulling a
big crowd on Sunday.
The occasion was the 75th anniversary of the official Waitaki
dam opening, and owner Meridian Energy Ltd was overwhelmed
when it opened it to the public on Sunday.
More than 500 people toured the dam, including its original
control room with switches and dials set in Italian black
marble.
For safety requirements, people registered at Kurow and were
taken by bus to the dam for their tours and then returned to
Kurow.
The first bus at 9.10am was nearly full, with 33 people on
board.
It never let up from then, with most of the 11 bus trips full
and some missing out at the end of the day.
All who got to the dam had a tour lasting up to an hour, from
the powerhouse, with its seven generators, to the large
control room, which became redundant in 1998 when control was
computerised and centralised at Twizel.
The tours were only part of a day's celebrations.
At 3.30pm 135 invited guests gathered in the powerhouse for a
welcome by Meridian general manager of markets and production
Neal Barclay.
He outlined the history of the Waitaki dam and the part it
played in New Zealand's development, not just meeting a
growing demand for electricity, but also in its social
structure.
It was historically important as the first of eight
powerhouses to be built on the Waitaki River, and played an
important role in New Zealand's development.
Two Kurow men associated with the project - the Rev Arnold
Nordmeyer and Dr David McMillan - went on to become members
of Parliament in the Michael Savage government and schemes
they developed to help dam workers formed the basis for New
Zealand's social welfare system, he said.
A plaque to the memory of Dr McMillan was unveiled in the
powerhouse by his grandson Malcolm McMillan.
Thomas Ewart (6), whose great-great-grandfather was blinded
working on the dam, cut the anniversary cake.
The Pearson family has had a long association with Kurow,
with the buses used on Sunday carrying the Pearson name.
On Sunday night, a buffet meal and dance were held in the
Kurow Hall for about 200 people.
david.bruce@odt.co.nz
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