Ruahihi Power station moments in history

Ruahihi station will save country $1 million. [Last of 3 stations in the Joint Generation Committee's Wairoa gets go-ahead from the Local Authorities Loan Board]. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 February 1977, Page 1.

Consolidating and Amending Consents to the Generation of Electricity by the Tauranga Joint Generation Committee by the Use of Water. New Zealand Gazette, No 34, 24 March 1977, Pages 911-912.

Projection plan for [country] park [beside Ruahihi power scheme] detailed. Bay of Plenty Times, 6 July 1977, Page 7.

Concern over bush clearing activity [by Fletchers and NZ Forest Products affecting the hydrology of the Joint Generation Committee's Wairoa hydro scheme]. Bay of Plenty Times, 15 July 1977, Page 7.

Tender let for [third stage of Ruahihi] power station canal [to Fletcher Construction ($766,119?). Joint Generation Committee also approved Ruahihi station design - illustrated]. Bay of Plenty Times, 7 October 1977, Page 1.

Generator arrives [42 tonne, 6MW generator for Lower Mangapapa Station from Japan]. Bay of Plenty Times,14 October 1977, Page 1.

Water flow cut assists diversionary dam works [by enabling contractors on the Lower Mangapapa Dam to install a diversion flume and coffer dams]. Bay of Plenty Times, 28 October 1977, Page 9.

Travellers will have hydro in sight [traffic will be able to see the initial earthworkds for the canal feeding water to Ruahihi power station]. Bay of Plenty Times, 29 October 1977, Page 24.

"Worst country in New Zealand": [3] contractors combat wet soils [slowing progress on the 3.5 km canal to power the Ruahihi station - with photos]. Bay of Plenty Times, 25 March 1978, Page 7.

[Aerial photo of the completed roof of the Lower Mangapapa powerhouse. Bay of Plenty Times, 6 April 1978, Page 1.

Mr [Roddy] Scott's version of the [Canal] road dispute [with the Tauranga Joint Generation Committee]. (Previous coverage of the dispute on Page 1 of the Times issues of 3 and 5 April 1978). Bay of Plenty Times, 7 April 1978, Page 7.

[Drought-breaking] Rain ends earthworks [for this construction season says Tauranga Joint Generation Committee manager]. Bay of Plenty Times, 17 April 1978, Page 8.

Water sweeps away parts of protective coffer dam works [shielding the McLaren Falls Dam spillway]. Bay of Plenty Times, 18 April 1978, Page 1.

Engineer reports on earthworks progress [for Ruahihi canal - contractors are seeking time extensions]. Bay of Plenty Times, 7 June 1978, Page 11.

[Historic Places Trust dig on site affected by canal building costs $19,000]. Bay of Plenty Times, 7 June 1978, Page 11.

Biggest station to be showcase [Public will be able to view inside Ruahihi station]. Bay of Plenty Times, 6 July 1978, Page 1.

Ruahihi power intake nearly at full height. Bay of Plenty Times, 16 August 1978, Page 1.

Power station for $2.35m [Hawkins Construction wins tender to build Ruahihi power station. Bay of Plenty Times. 6 September 1978, Page 11.

Work starts on last powerhouse [at Ruahihi on Wairoa River]. Bay of Plenty Times, 4 October 1978, Page 1.

Work on [3] contracts [for Ruahihi canal resumes with better weather]. Bay of Plenty Times, 8 November 1978, Page 1.

Project work worth $12.4m [under way on Ruahihi power project with letting of $1.3m contract for penstocks to Fletcher Construction]. Bay of Plenty Times, 13 November 1978.

Helicopters work hard [on Ruahihi Power scheme]. Bay of Plenty Times, 16 April 1979.

Canal work resumed. Bay of Plenty Times, 8 October 1980, Page 9.

Earth dam leaking. Bay of Plenty Times, 8 October 1980, Page 9.

Problems with tunnels. Bay of Plenty Times, 5 November 1980, Page 8.

Cost escalation criticised. Bay of Plenty Times, 20 November 1980, Page 9.

Canal - Ruahihi. Bay of Plenty Times, 25 November 1980, Page 23.

Butter greases wheels of Ruahihi power station. Bay of Plenty Times, 2 June 1981, Page 21.

Power station perils [and problems]. Bay of Plenty Times, 2 September 1981, Page 5.

Ruahihi on full power. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 June 1981, Page 1.

Income higher than estimated. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 June 1981, Page 7.

Peak period power saving possible. Bay of Plenty Times, 4 June 1981, Page 1.

McLaren Falls station will still play a part. Bay of Plenty Times, 4 June 1981, Page 5.

[Angry Ruahihi Road] residents demand inquiry [into canal wall collapse]: many gave warnings : farmer loses poultry : Wild reverse to avoid mud. Bay of Plenty Times, 21 September 1981, Page 1.

Early work [of the late Lloyd Mandeno] remembered [by Prime Minister at official opening of the Ruahihi power station]. Bay of Plenty Times, 21 September 1981, Page 5.

[Tauranga Joint Generation Committee discusses releasing Brickell Moss's] Report [to make a] decision [in March, depending on what the Ministry of Works and Development did with its report. MWD published it later in February - see location in Library Collection below]. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 February 1982, Page 1.

Meeting of Catchment Commission. Bay of Plenty Times, 2 April 1982, Page 4.

Drying-out problem - generator and Ruahihi profit date. Bay of Plenty Times, 7 April 1982, Page 7.

Ruahihi $7.5m loan. Bay of Plenty Times, 27 April 1982, Page 1.

Visit by Institute of Professional Engineers. Bay of Plenty Times, 28 April 1982, Page 1.

Loan money. Bay of Plenty Times, 1 May 1982, Page 1.

Combinaton of pipes to restore Ruahihi. Bay of Plenty Times, 5 May 1982.

Power profit spent on Ruahihi. Bay of Plenty Times, 5 May 1982, Page 5.

Tender for Ruahihi steel. Bay of Plenty Times, 15 May 1982, Page 5.

Concern about Ruahihi costs. Bay of Plenty Times, 20 May 1982, Page 4.

$15m government loan. Bay of Plenty Times, 24 June 1982, Page 1.

Editorial on loan. Bay of Plenty Times, 25 June 1982, Page 1.

Canal work begins in September. Bay of Plenty Times, 26 June 1982, Page 1.

Ruahihi loan - order to proceed to raise $7.5m. Bay of Plenty Times, 29 June 1982, Page 7.

Information re: Ruahihi will be passed on. Bay of Plenty Times, 7 July 1982, Page 1.

Terms of assistance with Ruahihi. Bay of Plenty Times, 7 July 1982, Page 6.

Ruahihi loan causes concern [Board to pay share of operating surpluses]. Bay of Plenty Times, 22 July 1982, Page 7.

Committee receives letters / Sub-committee to deal with legal problem / Engineeers study remedial measures for Ruahihi slope. Bay of Plenty Times, 4 August 1982, Page 6.

Canal entry [by Philip Teal] wins prize at BoP Science Fair. Bay of Plenty Times, 9 August 1982, Page 1.

Inquiry nears end / Interest rate questioned. Bay of Plenty Times, 1o August 1982, Page 7.

Loan terms changed. Bay of Plenty Times, 20 August 1982, Page 4.

Major contracts let for Ruahihi repair. Bay of Plenty Times, 21 August 1982, Page 1.

Firm claims Ruahihi contract takes work from Bay. Bay of Plenty Times, 25 August May 1982, Page 1.

Chamber may support Bay concrete firm [Roberts Concrete wants Ruahihi contract]. Bay of Plenty Times, 26 August 1982, Page 1.

Canal land assurance. Bay of Plenty Times, 30 August 1982, Page 1.

City consortium has canal contract. Bay of Plenty Times, 31 August 1982, Page 6.

Profit from disaster {Greerton Lions remove buildings]. Bay of Plenty Times, 4 September 1982, Page 1.

Canal pipes / Committee able to let tenders. Bay of Plenty Times, 7 September 1982, Page 7.

Big restoration contract let / Engineer's assurance on ground stability. Bay of Plenty Times, 8 September 1982, Page 1.

Meeting to settle Ruahihi factors. Bay of Plenty Times, 8 September 1982, Page 6.

Committee sure of decision [to use Wellington firm]. Bay of Plenty Times, 8 September 1982, Page 7.

Location of Ruahihi forebay. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 November 1982, Page 6.

Prohibited access affects canal work. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 November 1982, Page 7.

Canal pipes work runs to schedule. Bay of Plenty Times, 22 November 1982, Page 8.

$17.6m repair job at Ruahihi. Bay of Plenty Times, 27 November 1982, Page 7.

Good progress made on Ruahihi restoration. Bay of Plenty Times, 8 December 1982, Page 7.

[Work] ahead of schedule. Bay of Plenty Times, 14 December 1982, Page 1.

Work proceeds smoothly on penstock pipes. Bay of Plenty Times, 21 January 1983, Page 7.

On schedule. Bay of Plenty Times, 2 February 1983, Page 7.

Paving job a block to possible damage. Bay of Plenty Times, 2 March 1983, Page 1.

Ruahihi forebay delay concerns Committee. Bay of Plenty Times, 2 March 1983, Page 7.

Ruahihi's big day approaches [15 May reopening, with photos]. Bay of Plenty Times, 26 March 1983, Page 7.

Power soon from Ruahihi. Bay of Plenty Times, 13 April 1983, Page 7.

Penstock pipes have strength in reserve. Bay of Plenty Times, 14 April 1983, Page 6.

Ruahihi project work at critical stage. Bay of Plenty Times, 23 April 1983, Page 1.

Mr Muldoon pleased with Ruahihi station progress. Bay of Plenty Times, 26 April 1983, Page 7.

Contractors complete canal block laying [photos]. Bay of Plenty Times, 2 May 1983, Page 1.

Ruahihi canal ready to be put to test. Bay of Plenty Times, 14 May 1983, Page 7.

Water flows into Ruahihi canal. Bay of Plenty Times, 16 May 1983, Page 1.

Canal check finds no problems - manager. Bay of Plenty Times, 19 May 1983, Page 6.

Ruahihi produces. Bay of Plenty Times, 23 May 1983, Page 1.

Penstock leak only hitch at Ruahihi. Bay of Plenty Times, 28 May 1983, Page 1.

Water laps doors but generation day not yet set. Bay of Plenty Times, 30 May 1983, Page 1.

Ruahihi power in time to make saving. Bay of Plenty Times, 1 June 1983, Page 1.

Ruahihi passes first power test. Bay of Plenty Times, 2 June 1983, Page 1.

Code of practice idea follows Ruahihi failure. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 June 1983, Page 6.

Power progress. Bay of Plenty Times, 7 June 1983, Page 6.

Ruahihi job complete. Bay of Plenty Times, 15 June 1983, Page 6.

Engineer Hugh Binney retires. Bay of Plenty Times - Timescan, 26 June 1984.

Bill [increases to cover rising debt] may shock users [in the Western Bay]. Bay of Plenty Times, 29 October 1987, Page 1.

Ruahihi burden cut by $37m. Bay of Plenty Times, 4 April 1989.

Relief for Ruahihi. Bay of Plenty Times, 5 April 1989.

Mistakes made [on canal], but the plan is worth it. Bay of Plenty Times, 30 March 1990.

The night the rain, and the bridges came down... Bay of Plenty Times, 6 April 1991.

Turbine overhaul starts. Bay of Plenty Times, 24 January 1992.

There seems to be a gap in the card index's coverage between April 1979 and February 1982 which may be "filled in" by the non-specific items and published works listed below and a review of other card threads and microfilmed newspapers. Reasons may include the sheer volume of coverage of the subject before the opening of the Ruahihi station and after the canal's collapse. It may also be coloured by local embarassment at the disaster happening so soon after the opening of the Ruahihi station, and the financial uncertainty created by the event.

Unspecified articles on the canal, its collapse and the aftermath were published in the Bay Sun on 22 August 1981; 19 September 1981; 26 September 1981; 10 October 1981

Unspecified articles on the collapse of the canal and its aftermath were published in the Bay of Plenty Times on 22 November 1982; 27 November 1982; 8 December 1982; 14 May 1983; 21 September 1983; 14 May 1983 and 21 September 1983.

Selected whole issues of the Bay of Plenty Times covering the canal collapse are in the Newspaper collection in the Climate Controlled Room

Report of Committee to Inquire into the Failure of the Ruahihi Canal, February 1982. Wellington, N.Z. : Ministry of Works and Development, 1982. REF 621.31 NEWZ - 33001009774505.

Ruahihi hydroelectric power scheme : report on remedial works to restore power generation. [Auckland, N.Z.] : Tauranga Joint Generation Committee, 1982. REF 621.31 RUAH - 33001009072397.

Articles on the collapse were published in New Zealand Engineering.

• Ruahihi collapse boosts the scheme's cost over-runs / Max Avery. November 1981, Vol. 36, Issue 10, Pages 33-35.
• Ruahihi canal collapse: Scheme's water right cancelled / Max Avery. April 1982, Vol. 37, Issue 3, Page 13.
• Commission finds: Failure to consider hazards of canal built on 'sensitive' soil / Philip Hoskin. April 1982, Vol. 37, Issue 3, Pages 5-7, 9, 11.
• Pipeline bypass option accepted for Ruahihi hydro station / Max Avery. May 1982, Vol. 37, Issue 4, Pages 35, 37.
• Leading article: How safe is safe? [Failure of the Ruahihi canal and the findings of the MWD report]. May 1982, Vol. 37, Issue 4, Page 3.
• Leading article: Supervision of dam safety / H. W. Robertson. May 1983, Vol. 38, Issue 4, Page 3.
• Discussion document: Report of the President's Committee on the Ruahihi Canal collapse / R. F. Meyer. June 1983, Vol. 38, Issue 5, Pages 28-30.
• The Ruahihi Canal collapse - [final] report of the President's committee. December 1983, Vol. 38, Issue 11, Pages 33-36.
• President's Task Committee on Ruahihi [whether Rule 18.2 had been breached by any member] / T. J. Kayes, J. P. Blakeley. February 1985, Vol. 40, Issue 1, Page 41.
• Issues Arising from Canal Failures at Ruahihi and Wheao / John Blakeley. September 1989, Vol. 44, Issue 8, Pages 21-23, 25.

Ruahihi. New Zealand Woman's Weekly, 8 February 1982.

EDITING NOTES: Sometimes may insert images from Pae Korokī using picture insert icon from menu above. Source is from right clicking on the image (not the page url), and width and height should be a % e.g. 60%

Title or info about the image centred in normal font.

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries reference number is a hyperlink