A Brief History of Twizel

Twizel was once home to a handful of high country sheep farmers and their staff, and not a lot else. Almost overnight it became the site of the world’s largest hydroelectricity development project of the day.

At the completion of the project in 1983, the bustling township was destined to be bulldozed into the ground but the locals had other ideas. They fought for their community, and now Twizel is proudly known as the heart of the Mackenzie and the gateway to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.

A Brief History of Twizel tells the story of the growth of a prosperous district from sheep farming, to hydroelectricity and beyond. See how the town's rich history still runs deep within the community, while residents and visitors alike enjoy all the opportunities the Mackenzie District has to offer.