Mangakino

Mangakino is the purpose built town that served as construction headquarters for the hydro projects of the area. Once government-owned and managed by the then-Ministry of Works, it provided free house rentals to lure workers with families to this isolated spot.. It is worth a detour if you are interested in glimpsing the living conditions of those who built the hydro projects on the Waikato river Now privately owned, with many derelict houses, it sits alongside the lake formed by the Maraetai Dam. It has long been promoted as a Taupo for those who cannot afford to live in Taupo.