Orion Power House Gallery Akaroa

Most of Akaroa's historic buildings are wooden. Bricks were used mainly for chimneys. The Orion Powerhouse Gallery is one of Akaroa's rare brick buildings. In 1911, Akaroa took a leap into the future ahead of much of the rest of Canterbury by introducing a public supply of electric power. This was generated by a hydro plant installed in a square, pavilion-roofed building which is now part of the Orion Powerhouse Gallery. The rest of the gallery occupies a larger brick extension. The plant remained in use until 1955. Much later, after many years generating power at Maruia Springs, a resort in the Southern Alps, the original pelton wheel and generator were returned to Akaroa and re-installed in their original home. The building now doubles as an exhibition space and a small museum of technology. by John Wilson