Rivers, lakes & rainfall
Genesis collects detailed rainfall, river flow and lake level data from around our hydro generation sites every 15 minutes.
Water is central to our role as one of the country's largest generators of electricity
Water is a precious resource. Genesis acknowledges the impact our electricity generation has on river systems and the associated cultural, social and environmental effects and take very seriously our responsibility to carefully manage our operations and use of water. We recognise the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and the relationship that mana whenua has with water.
We work hard to mitigate and compensate for the effects of our activities, striving for strong and meaningful relationships with mana whenua, communities, and environmental organisations around our generation sites. We are committed to creating positive outcomes in the catchments where we operate and strive to maintain transparent reporting of our performance.
View our Environmental Management and Community Engagement Policy, Water Position Statement, Water Data, and Nature Position Statement.
Tongariro Power Scheme
The Tongariro Power Scheme has a catchment area of more than 2600km2 in the North Island's central volcanic plateau.
The scheme gathers water from the mountains of the central plateau through Eastern and Western Diversions of the scheme. Water passes through a series of pipes, lakes, canals, and tunnels to the Mangaio, Tokaanu and Rangipō hydro power stations before entering Lake Taupō.
Waikaremoana Power Scheme
The Waikaremoana Power Scheme is a hydro-electric power development in northern Hawke’s Bay and consists of three power stations fed from the Lake Waikaremoana.
Water is taken from Lake Waikaremoana via tunnels to Kaitawa Power Station, before being discharged into Lake Kaitawa. It is then passed through Tuai Power Station and discharged into Lake Whakamarino. From there, water is carried by tunnel to Piripaua Power Station and is discharged into the Waikaretāheke River.
Tekapo Power Scheme
The Tekapo Power Scheme is at the head of the Waitaki Valley in the Mackenzie District of the South Island.
The scheme uses water from the glacial-fed Lake Takapō/Tekapo to generate electricity through two power stations – Tekapo A and Tekapo B. Tekapo B sits in the bed of Lake Pūkaki, with outflows entering the lake directly.
Send us your questions
If you have any questions or comments, you can contact our hydrology staff.
