The geography of power resources in New Zealand

Abstract

For a century the development of power resources has contributed much to the geography of New Zealand. Today, more than ever before, the direct significance of energy production is seen, at the mine or dam site, on the road or railway, and indirectly in the home, the farm, and the factory. Nor is the situation static. Large dams and associated villages stand in areas which only a decade ago were remote and uninhabited, lakes are being drained and swamps reclaimed in the search for coal, and a man-made thermal area has been created, as spectacular as any natural one. Plans are made and changed, and before one large power development is completed another has been commenced. Energy is outstandingly important in the daily lives of New Zealanders yet only meagre information is available on New Zealand power resources and still less on the geography of those areas characterised by power resources and their exploitation.