Twizel
Twizel | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of Twizel | |
| Coordinates: 44°15′S 170°06′E / 44.250°S 170.100°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Territorial authority | Mackenzie District |
| Ward | Pukaki Ward |
| Community | Twizel Community |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Mackenzie District Council |
| • Regional council | Environment Canterbury |
| • Mayor of Mackenzie | Scott Aronsen |
| • Waitaki MP | Miles Anderson |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 15.54 km2 (6.00 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 470 m (1,540 ft) |
| Population (June 2025) | |
• Total | 1,790 |
| • Density | 115/km2 (298/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode(s) | 7901 |
| Area code | 03 |
Twizel (/ˈtwaɪzəl/) is the largest town in the Mackenzie District, in the Canterbury Region of the South Island of New Zealand. The town was founded in 1968 to house construction workers on the Upper Waitaki Hydroelectric Scheme. Today, Twizel is a service and tourist town for visitors to the area. It has a resident population of 1,790 (June 2025); during the summer, holidaymakers nearly triple the town's population.
Nearby Lake Ruataniwha supports rowing, sailing and water skiing. Twizel is 37 km (29 minutes drive) east of Lake Ōhau village, 30 km (20 minutes drive) north of Omarama and 60 km (42 minutes drive) south of Lake Tekapo.