We are preparing to begin the next phase of refurbishment workon the Taupō Control Gates. To ensure this work is carried out safely, a full road closure will be requiredon the control gates bridge on Tongariro Street. The closure will take place outside peak commuting hours on13 April, 14 April and 25 May, from 9pm to 6am. Please plan your journey accordingly, and thank you for your patience.
The Taupō Control Gates is a critical piece of infrastructure spanning the Waikato River at the northern entrance to Taupō town. Situated 1km downstream from the outlet of Lake Taupō, the structure serves both as a bridge for Tongariro Street and as a vital flow‑control facility for the Waikato Hydro System.
The concrete structure houses six control gates and a central boat lock channel. These gates regulate water released from Lake Taupō, supporting downstream hydroelectric generation and playing an essential role in managing high river flows across the hydro system.
Lake Taupō has a 3,300 km2 catchment which includes many streams and rivers. The largest inflows come from the Tongariro River and the Tongariro Power Development in the central North Island into Lake Taupō.
The gates help regulate the amount of water flowing out of the lake and down the Waikato River. Read more about Mercury’s operating range and Taupō lake levels here.
Originally designed and constructed in the 1940s, the gates have undergone several upgrades and refurbishments over their service life. Major refurbishment was completed on gates 4, 5 and 6 between 2010 and 2012. Continued maintenance and refurbishment are required to ensure the ongoing safety, reliability, and performance of the gates.
Our ongoing maintenance work aims to extend the reliable service life of the control gates.
Gate 2 was refurbished and reinstalled in 2024-2025. We are focused on refurbishing gates 1, and 3 in 2026, with gates 4 to 6 to be addressed under a separate future scope.
Before refurbishment begins, new equipment will be put in place to safely support the gates. The refurbishment work will involve draining water from around the gates so they can be fully checked.
Parts will then be replaced or repaired if needed, including sections of the gate tracks and guide strips. Further repairs may also be carried out if problems are found during inspections, allowing issues to be addressed safely as they arise.
Gate 1 was removed in early 2026, refurbished, and will be reinstalled in April. We will then remove gate 3 for refurbishment and reinstall it in May.
To complete the removal and reinstallation tasks safely, we will need to have a full road closure across the control gates bridge on Tongariro Street. This will be done during night hours, outside of busy commuter times:
• 13 April, 9pm-6am: to reinstall gate 1 • 14 April, 9pm-6am: to remove gate 3 • 25 May, 9pm-6am: to reinstall gate 3
One of the control gates being removed from the bridge during night works in August 2025. Photo credit: McLeod Cranes
Yes. Pedestrians can still use the bridge during the 9pm–6am closures. However, when a gate is being lifted, there may be a delay of 10 to 15 minutes while our team completes the work safely.
You can contact the project team on mercurycontrolgates@mercury.co.nz Learn more about Mercury’s hydro generation here.
For Waikato River Flows and Take Taupo Levels, ring 0800 820 082.