Now you cross it, now you don’t

It was good while it lasted and well appreciated.

Cars cross the Karāpiro Dam road on Sunday, the last day it was open for a while. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

That’s the view on the re-opening of the Karāpiro Dam road between December 21 and Sunday night when it closed again for several months.

But two teenage boys from Cambridge High School, who live on either side of the dam, are now wondering how they will catch up with each having nipped across to go fishing and swimming together during the break.

The 16km trip via SH1 and through Cambridge and Leamington makes it a long way around for them now, they told The News.

Cambridge News 9 January 2025

The closure has been well signalled to lake users including competitors in next week’s national Waka Ama championships.

The dam road has been closed on and off since 2019 – intermittently opening over the summer periods when workers are on a break and at other times – for Mercury’s $90 million Karāpiro Hydro Power Station upgrade on Waikato River.

Three new power generation units housing hydro turbines which make electricity from the river’s force will provide an additional five megawatts, enough for 19,000 homes.

The third one should be in place later this year and the road – owned by Mercury – will reopen then.

Cars cross the Karāpiro Dam road on Sunday, the last day it was open for a while.

More Recent News

World conflicts boost Anzac crowds

Record numbers attending Anzac Day events around the region, and the messages delivered at those services, suggest a heightened public awareness of escalating global tensions. The messages were widespread and came from regional mayors, Members…

Sister city relationship sealed

Cambridge was well represented in France for Anzac Day commemorations over the weekend and the 25th anniversary of the sister city relationship with Le Quesnoy. The 28 students from Cambridge High School and their four…

Sharpe service

Diane Sharpe’s enthusiasm for Fieldays has not been blunted even after 35 years. While Fieldays is calling for volunteer, organisers need not send an invitation to Diane – she will be there, yet again. “It’s…

Anzac Day – from sunrise to sunset

On a day of highlights perhaps the most significant came when Cambridge RSA president Tony Hill read out a letter from King Charles III to Les Winslade. Les at 104 was not only the oldest…