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Twizel
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Twizel, a growing service town at the very centre of high country
attractions, was built in 1969 as a base for the Upper Waitaki power
development. It has a good range of accommodation and services, including an
airfield, community centre, swimming pool and several sports facilities.
The Information Centre (05620) 802 is an excellent starting point with a
variety of displays, brochures, a presentation video and helpful staff to
head you in the right direction. |
Twizel today
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But sadly the project work was to come to an end, and the town was destined
to be dismantled and the land returned to farmland.
A band of local residents were not too happy about this prospect and felt
the town had a very bright future. With intensive lobbying to the
authorities, the town was eventually offered to the Mackenzie County
Council. In August 1983, the Council in turn surveyed to find out what
interest there was for keeping the town.
The interest was there, so the council took over the town in 1984 and
offered for sale 325 houses and 14 vacant shops. A community centre,
ambulance hall and fire station, complete with fully equipped vehicles, were
also handed to the council.
Twizel today is still continuing to grow. There is a very positive group of
people working hard to help make this a place to visit and enjoy. Twizel is
the service town for Mount Cook Aoraki, and supplies a pool of workers who
travel daily to help make a visit to the "rock" memorable.
Twizel's latest claim to fame has come with the Lord of the Rings production
company deciding to film the Battle of Pelennor Fields in the local area.
This battle is one of the most important clashes in the saga of
Middle-Earth. This has made Twizel `Orc-land' of the south. |
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