Waitaki · South Island · New Zealand · Meridian/NZX
Lake Pūkaki
1,570 GWh
Above average · 21% above average
vs 93-yr average
121%
In historical range
51%
Scheme
Waitaki
Last updated
2026-07-27
Where storage sits vs history
min1,300 GWh
93-yr avg2,300 GWh
max
Weekly readings
| Week | Stored (GWh) | % of 93-yr avg | Range 1927–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-27 | 1,570 | 121% | 820–2,300 |
Data source: Meridian Energy / NZX — Comparative Hydro Storage — weekly, energy basis (GWh), excludes contingent storage. New Zealand publishes no official national filling degree, so storage is shown against the 93-year average and the 1927–2025 range. Figures are read from the weekly chart and are approximate. Last reading: 2026-07-27.
About Lake Pūkaki
Lake Pūkaki is a controllable storage lake in the Waitaki scheme (South Island), operated by Meridian Energy. Its storage is drawn down through winter and refilled by spring inflows; because it feeds hydro generation, its level is measured as energy (GWh) rather than water volume. Comparing the current figure with the 93-year average shows whether the lake is running wetter or drier than normal.
Frequently asked questions
How much water is stored in Lake Pūkaki right now?
As of 2026-07-27, Lake Pūkaki held about 1,570 GWh of stored energy — 21% above average (above average) for the time of year, and roughly 50.7% of the way up its 1927–2025 range.
Why energy (GWh) and “% of average” instead of “% full”?
New Zealand publishes no official filling degree (percent full) for its hydro lakes, so there is no honest “100% full” to divide by. Lake Pūkaki’s storage is therefore reported in GWh and compared with the 93-year average and the historical range.
Which scheme does Lake Pūkaki belong to?
Lake Pūkaki is part of the Waitaki scheme in the South Island, operated by Meridian Energy. It is one of New Zealand’s largest controllable hydro storages.