Waikato Hydro Chain There are now several types of power station using the Waikato River, but the ones that got there first were those relying on the river itself for their energy source - the hydro stations. They receive little publicity now, but when they were being built they were symbols of the communal approach to economic activity once accepted without question in New Zealand. In architectural terms they are fine monuments to that era and they continue to play a significant part in the country's energy supply. An Austrian refugee, Frederick Newman, who had been trained in Vienna and Paris and had worked in Moscow from 1932-37 contributed the splendid Maraetai Power Stations designs while another migrant, Christian Vallenduuk was responsible for the architecture at Ohakuri, Aratiatia, Waipapa and Atiamuri. An interesting day trip can be made visiting each of the 8 hydro power stations that effectively capture the energy in the River's 1,100-foot (335 metre) descent from Lake Taupo to Cambridge. The one-way trip distance is just under 200km and allowing for stops to view the dams and power stations the journey takes up to 5 hours
Waipapa is the smallest power station on the Waikato River.
We drove across the dam and parked right next to the location of the cache which is near the entry of the Waipapa Dam - Arapunu Village River Trail. There are toilets a short way along the track. There is also parking along the roadside if you would prefer to walk over.
Cache is a green magnetic nano. Enjoy the views.