11 December 2017

Italians and locals gather in Turangifor 50 Year Reunion of Codelfa-Cogefar (NZ) Ltd

More than20 former workers of Codelfa-Cogefar (NZ) Ltd gathered fromItaly, Australia, Samoa and around New Zealand to attend theCodelfa-Cogefar (NZ) Ltd Workers 50 Year Reunion in Turangiduring 1-3 December, along with ex-colleagues, family andfriends. The attendees included some of the original Italiantunnellers who first came to Turangi in 1967 to work on theTongariro Hydro-Electric Scheme, with several travelling allthe way from Italy to Turangi to join together for thisspecial occasion.

The local organising committee –comprised of a small group of past workers fromCodelfa-Cogefar (NZ) Ltd - spent the past year organisingthe three-day gathering to recognise the 50th anniversary ofthe Codelfa-Cogefar company in New Zealand.

ChairpersonElsie Valle was pleased that so many were able to celebratetogether, with 160 people attending the reunion, held at theformer Tongariro Chartered Club in Turangi. “It’s been ahighlight to see the happiness on people’s faces, for theex-workers to see each other again and to reminisce aboutthe past - the working conditions, the camps where theylived, and the early reactions of the Italian men when theyarrived and experienced such a different landscape.”

Thereunion programme featured visits to Moawhango and Tongariroon Saturday 2 December, which was a nostalgic experience forex-tunnellers to revisit the landscape that was their homefor so many years. Although the workers’ camps are longgone – memories still remained fresh for the retiredtunnellers. For some family members, it was a chance torealise the enormity of the government’s projects thatwere worked on by Codelfa-Cogefar over a 20-year period, andthat still supply power to many of New Zealand’s citiesand towns today.

The timing of the reunion was planned tocoincide with the Feast of Santa Barbara, marked each yearon 4 December. To acknowledge Santa Barbara and to payrespect to those ex-tunnellers that have passed away, aspecial ceremony was held at Tongariro, overlooking theRangipo Dam. Over the rushing sound of the water, the groupgathered for a prayer to Santa Barbara, Patron Saint ofArtillerymen and Miners, and to acknowledge the water thatwas such a big presence in the tunnellers’ everydayworking environment, and literally, the life-force behindthe power supply. Thanks was given to the bush and volcanicplateau environment that hundreds of young Italian men,along with their young families, calledhome.

Locally-produced wine and Italian-style catering wasprovided by ex-tunnellers Ettore Colle, Pietro Valle andGiovanni Salvador to mark the Saturday evening function instyle, complete with a celebration cake to recognise theefforts of all the men and workers so many years ago.Special guests included Vincenzo Scocozza and Atillio Ulianawho travelled from Italy, Te Ariki Sir Tumu and Lady SueTeHeuheu and Taupō Mayor David Trewavas. Many stories wereshared and connections made – between Italians and NewZealanders, locals and visitors alike.

The Codelfa-Cogefar(NZ) Limited company had construction work in Auckland,Mangaweka and other parts of New Zealand during the 1960s tothe 1980s but the biggest construction job was the TongariroHydro-Electric Scheme in the central NorthIsland.

ENDS

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