Volcanic Power

Short Film (Full Length) – 1962

This 1962 film about geothermal power generation begins with animated sequences telling the Māori legend of how the North Island’s volcanoes were created. Then it explores the “crazy idea” of volcanic power, and how New Zealand might harness its potential. At Wairakei, roads have collapsed and the ground can rumble: “nothing is ever quite predictable on this battleground for power”. Nearby, steam is used for heating, hangi, bathing, and … growing pineapples. The animation was handled by Mike Walker (later producer of Kingi’s Story), of Levin-based Morrow Productions.

It would take 40 million watts to boil a kettle this size electrically, and yet natural heat has been producing it for 75 years.
– The narrator describes Lake Tarawera, the world's largest boiling lake