Lake Taupo wharf, looking towards Turangi and Mount Pihanga
Image: Jimmy Johnson | DOC
Located in the Central North Island region
Tūrangi lies at the southern end of Lake Taupō on the banks of the Tongariro River – world famous for its fly fishing, and home to the native blue duck (whio).
The South Taupō Wetland extends around the southern edge of Lake Taupō between Motuoapa and Waihi including the Tongariro River Delta. It is an important habitat for a number of threatened species of birds and a wide variety of plants.
Ngati Tuwharetoa iwi arrived in the region in the late 14th century, however the unfertile, ashy soil and the poor food source from the lake meant that life was difficult in the area. Europeans settled in the area in the1880s and 1890s after the introduction of brown and rainbow trout into the lake and rivers.
Tūrangi remained a quiet village until the 1960s when the growing demand for hydropower saw the town expand. The town accommodated hundreds of construction workers and their families employed to work on the Tokaanu hydro power station scheme.
For information on accommodation, events and activities in the Tūrangi area visit the Go Tongariro website.
| Turangi Office | |
| Phone: | +64 7 384 7106 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | turangi@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
3 Town Centre Turangi 3334 |
| Postal Address: |
Private Bag 2 Turangi 3353 |
| Full office details | |