Waikato the odd, unusual, fascinating and quirky

Corrugated iron is an acknowledgement of a rural service town’s links to the humble corrugated shed. ‘The Dog’ in Tirau in 1998 was the first of thousands of Corrugated Creations now spread around the world. Each is made with the same processes and materials as a corrugated iron roof – and is expected to last just as long.

Tirau corrugated iron sculpture highlights

• Tirau Dog Tourist Information Centre and a town where a functional corrugated iron sheet is now an art form
• The town’s identity is now large corrugated iron sculptures depicting main street businesses. The public toilets are located in large corrugated sheep together with a visitor information desk. Another set of public toilets, off the main road are worth a photo stop together with the pukeko signage on the shops opposite. Tirau is part of North Island Two Week Road Trip

Waikato dam visits highlights

• A lot of industrial sized concrete walls
• Eight hydro power stations capturing the energy of the Mighty Waikato River as it descends 335 metres from Lake Taupo to Cambridge
• Aratiatia is well known for its dramatic water diversions creating the spectacular display of the full flow of released water over the temporarily exposed original waterfalls
• Lake Karapiro with its place in New Zealand’s water sports is a hydro lake, artificially formed with the completion of Karapiro Dam

There are nine structures in all, for the starting point of the chain is a control structure at the outlet of the lake on the edge of the town of Taupo. Built in 1941 this allows control of the lake level over 5 feet, its natural range. While the Waikato Hydro Day Out tours are currently unavailable, you can easily view highlights from roadside vantage points. Waikato dams are a fascinating slice of industrial history wrapped around glorious Waikato scenery.

Karāpiro is a hydroelectric lake on the Waikato River. Start the exploration at the Karapiro lookout. Above Karāpiro stands Maungatautari, a culturally and ecologically important mountain. Journey along the lakeshore, towards the mountain, and to a lookout above Karāpiro Dam. Te Ara Wai journeys is North Island, Aotearoa is where the stories began with the flow of the Waikato over 20,000 years ago.

Lake Karapiro highlights

• Maungatautari Mountain. Learn about flora and fauna conservation on Maungatautari, and discover the spiritual and historical importance of the maunga (mountain)
• Taumatawīwī Battle Site. Learn about the battle that culminated around this cliff face in 1830 – one of the last times traditional Māori weapons were used in warfare.

For more details about the self-guided tour check out Explore Karāpiro | Waipā Journeys.

Kayak on the Waikato River to the Pokaiwhenua stream. With stunning twilight lake views, you are transported into the world of glowworms twinkling in the dusk in the quiet tributaries of the Waikato River. The Boatshed Kayaks offers both guided and rental options for visitors to explore Lake Karapiro and the Waikato River.