Taupō is growing up fast
An interactive map on the Taupō District Council’s website shows how much development has occured in Taupō over the past 87 years.
The Taupō District’s population is now more than 40,000 and expected to rise by another 25,500 people over the next 35 years.
The district has seen incredible growth in the last decade, with Census data showing the population rising from 32,907 in 2013, to 40,296 in 2023 – an increase of more than 22%.
That compares with a modest increase of just 2214, or 7% in the 17 years from 1996-2013.
Latest estimates put the district’s population at about 42,000.
The Taupō District Council adopted its Taupō District Future Development Strategy about two weeks ago, outlining how it plans to cope with expected growth.
Best estimates put the population at 46,700 by 2030, 53,300 in 2040, 60,300 in 2050 and 67,400 by 2060.
It is estimated that another 12,400 homes will be needed in the next 35 years to accommodate the growth.
The strategy also identifies retail, commercial and industrial growth needs and the constraints to meeting the anticipated growth.
The council is identifying areas for future residential and commercial development and areas of more intensive development.
It also highlights some of the development constraints, particularly north of the Waikato River in Nukuhau and Acacia Bay.
A new wastewater plant will need to be built on the northern side of the river as the existing treatment plant on the northern banks of the river is now at full capacity.
Wastewater from Nukuhau is currently transported across the Waikato River to the Taupō Wastewater Treatment Plant via a pipe across the Control Gates Bridge, which is also at full capacity.
“Additional capacity is needed to support growth in the northern Taupō residential areas that have been recently zoned and are identified as future growth areas within this growth strategy,” the strategy reads.
“Council has been working closely with a steering group of local iwi and hapū on possible solutions to these issues. This steering group will continue to explore a long-term solution for a wastewater treatment and disposal system in the North of Taupō that avoids connections across the Waikato River.”
The Long-term Plan also sets aside funding in the next 10 years to increase the capacity of wastewater connections in Taupō Town across the Waikato River.
A new bridge is also urgently needed to replace the Control Gates Bridge, connecting northern suburbs with the township.
A detailed design is anticipated to be produced in 2027/28 and construction expected to start in 2029/30.