Arapuni
Arapuni | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
Interactive map of Arapuni | |
| Coordinates: 38°04′S 175°39′E / 38.067°S 175.650°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato Region |
| District | South Waikato District |
| Ward | Putāruru Ward |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | South Waikato District Council |
| • Regional council | Waikato Regional Council |
| • Mayor of South Waikato | Gary Petley |
| • Taupō MP | Louise Upston |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.83 km2 (0.71 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025) | |
• Total | 330 |
| • Density | 180/km2 (470/sq mi) |
Arapuni is a rural town centre on the Waikato river in the South Waikato District of New Zealand.
The town sits next to the Arapuni Dam, a hydroelectric dam at Lake Arapuni commissioned in 1929. The Arapuni Power Station consists of eight turbines which give a total output of 196 MW, the largest of the power stations on the Waikato river. The Arapuni hydro station is owned and operated by Mercury Energy.
The name Arapuni derives from Ara, meaning path, and puni, meaning blocked or covered, and translates as blocked or covered path. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "blocked path" for Arapuni.
The Arapuni Suspension Bridge below the dam is freely open to public.
Arapuni post office opened in 1924 and closed from 5 February 1988 when Postmaster-General, Richard Prebble, closed or reduced 580 offices. It was moved to 10 Amber Lane, Puketaha in 2004.