20 October 2010
Te Awamutu Museum salutes the rowing world championships at the end of October with a photographic exhibition about the 1947 flooding of the Horahora power station and formation of Lake Karapiro.
The Submerged Histories exhibition starts on October 30. It features historic black and white photographs, many from the early 1900s, sourced from the archives of Mighty River Power and the families who lived along the stretch of the Waikato River that later became known as Lake Karapiro.
A National Film Unit documentary from 1947 playing throughout the exhibition conveys the feeling of excitement about electricity production at the time.
Waipa District Council’s museums and heritage director Jan White said people from different communities informed the exhibition’s material and content which is presented by the museum’s senior curator Stephanie Lambert. Mrs White said Mighty River Power had been very supportive, providing financial assistance for a catalogue of photographs and stories from the exhibition.
“Today, Lake Karapiro is synonymous with rowing, but its history unfolded among diverse communities with potential conflicts of interest including iwi, residents, hydro workers, conservationists and the power provider.”
The people of Ngâti Korokî Kahukura trace their history and recall the impact hydro-generation had on their land and landmarks. The Wakefield brothers remember living on the Horahora power station when their father was an operator and later undertaking careers with the New Zealand Electricity Department.
“Whether you have a connection to the Lake or the area, are interested in photography or hydro power, or generally interested in New Zealand’s young history, this exhibition has something for everyone,” Mrs White said.
Submerged Histories, stories underlying the formation of Lake Karapiro. Te Awamutu Museum, 135 Roche Street, Te Awamutu. 30 October 2010 – 24 January 2011. Entry free. Donations welcomed. Catalogue $5. www.tamuseum.org.nz
For more information, please contact:
Jacqui Humm, Ph: 07 872 0062 or 027 532 1760,
email: jacqui.humm@waipadc.govt.nz