When it was completed in 1972, the New Plymouth Power Station Chimney was the tallest structure in New Zealand.
Commencement of power station chimney construction, February 1971, Image courtesy of R.Aspden.
It stands 198 metres above ground level, contains 16,400 tonnes of concrete, 1,200 tonnes of reinforcing steel and almost one million bricks.
New Plymouth Power Station Chimney construction in progress, March 1971. Image courtesy of R.Aspden.
The main structure of the chimney is a 90 foot (ft) diameter reinforced concrete windshield which contains five 11 ft diameter flues made of bricks, laid at the rate of 10,000 per day, supported by steel platforms at regular intervals throughout the height of the chimney.
New Plymouth Power Station buildings under construction, February 1972. Image courtesy of R. Aspden.
Slipforming of the windshield commenced in February 1971 and, with the exception of one interruption, was completed as a continuous concrete pour at an average rate of five inches per hour. The work was carried out as a design and build contract.
New Plymouth Power Station and port of New Plymouth [4 December 1975], Ref; WA-72834-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
The thermal power station at New Plymouth was commissioned in 1976 and decommissioned in 2007.
Construction professionals
- Designer: Karrena Feuarungasbu GmbH – Germany
- Project Manager: Ministry of Works and Development
- Principal contractor: Downer and Company Limited.
Heritage recognition
IPENZ “Engineering to 1990” project
This item of New Zealand’s engineering heritage was recognised as part of the IPENZ “Engineering to 1990” project which the Institution organised to help celebrate the country’s sesquicentenary in 1990. A plaque was unveiled to mark the significance of this power station chimney as part of the development of the nation.
More information
Access
The chimney is a highly visible landmark in central New Plymouth and can be viewed at reasonably close proximity from Station Road and around the foreshore.
Location
Port of Taranaki, New Plymouth, Taranaki.
