Geotechnical Works in a World Heritage Area - Mangatepopo Intake Structure Project Completed
- GEOVERT
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
The completion of Stage 6 at the Mangatepopo Intake Structure brings to a close a sustained program of works delivered for Genesis Energy in one of New Zealand's most spectacular natural environments.
The Mangatepopo project was delivered across six stages over successive seasons, with Geovert engaged to address rockfall risk and slope instability along the access roadways and above the hydro intake structures that form part of Genesis Energy's hydroelectric infrastructure in Tongariro National Park. The goal throughout was to protect both the structures themselves and the access roads that serve them. Each stage incorporated anchored mesh netting, rock scaling, devegetation and ground anchoring across successive sections of the slope.
Working in a World Heritage Area
The site sits in the foothills of Mount Ngauruhoe, an active stratovolcano, within Tongariro National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Area recognised for its outstanding natural and cultural landscape. That setting shaped how the project was planned and executed.
Geovert worked closely with Genesis Energy to keep construction impact to a minimum. Environmental controls were developed and refined across successive stages, with the team conducting regular water pH monitoring and operating under strict guidelines to protect the surrounding ecosystem. Site preparation and clearing were carried out with particular care given the sensitivity of the terrain.
One of the most consistent features of the programme was the scheduling of works around the Whio, or Blue Duck, a nationally vulnerable migratory species with a population of approximately 3,000 remaining in the wild. The Mangatepopo River serves as a breeding ground for this species, and across all six stages, Geovert coordinated with Genesis Energy to ensure operations did not coincide with periods of Whio presence.
The Work Itself
The remote setting and steep terrain required a combination of methods across each stage. Rope access, high reach drills (HRD), elevated work platforms and wagon drills were utilised to reach anchor positions above the slope, with site preparation often requiring substantial clearing through dense bush before works could begin. Rock scaling was conducted with attention to safety, given the nature of the ground and the proximity of the access road below.
Acknowledgements
Completing a programme of this scale and duration across a constrained and environmentally sensitive site reflects the commitment of everyone involved. Thank you to the Geovert crew members who worked across the various stages, and to Genesis Energy for their ongoing collaboration and the trust they have placed in us during this project.
"Mangatepopo has been one of those projects that stays with you. Working within Tongariro National Park across multiple stages has been a genuine privilege, and we're proud that Genesis Energy entrusted us with the environmental responsibilities that come with a site like this. The location is spectacular, the challenges have been real, and it's been a pleasure to bring this programme to a close."
Francis Main, Geovert Group Pre-Contract Manager
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