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Taupo Taupō-nui-a-Tia (Māori)
Location
Country:	New Zealand
Island:	North Island
Latitude & Longitude:	38°41′24″S, 176°4′48″E
Extent	Nukuhau to Wharewaka
Statistics
Population:	{{{census}}} (2001 Census)
Area:
Administration
Territorial Authority:	Taupo District Council
Mayor:	Rick Cooper
Regional Council:	Environment Waikato
Parliamentary electorate:	Taupo
District
Name:	Taupo District
Population:	34,100 (2006 Census)
Extent:	Mangakino to Mount Ngauruhoe; east to the headwaters of the Rangitaiki River
Area:	6,970 km2
Main towns and settlements:	Taupo,Kinloch, Turangi, Mangakino

Taupo (pronounced [taupoː] in Māori) is a small urban area in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seat of the Taupo District Council and lies in the Waikato Region.

Taupo has a population of 22,300 (2006 census). Until 1989 Taupo was officially described as a city, but it is now administered by the Taupo District Council, the district including both Taupo itself and the surrounding hinterland. Despite this, it is still occasionally referred to as a city.

The name Taupo comes from Māori Taupō-nui-a-Tia. Literally translated, it means "The great cloak of Tia" where Tia is the name of the discoverer of the lake.

Taupo in todays age is mainly a tourist centre, particularly in the summer, as it offers panoramic views over the lake and the volcanic mountains of Tongariro National Park to the south. To capitalise on the large number of visitors, Taupo has seen the development of a number of tourist ventures from sky diving, jet boating, paragliding and other such activities. Taupo also services a number of surrounding plantation pine forests, including the largest manmade forest in the world, Kaingaroa Forest, and related industry. A large sawmill is sited approximated 3km to the north east of the town on Centennial Drive. Taupo has three High Schools; Tauhara College and Taupo Nui-a-Tia College and Lake Taupo Christian School (private). It also has primary and intermediate schools Waipahihi, Hilltop, Mount View, Taupo Primary, Tauhara Primary and Taupo intermediate. Taupo has a small growing satellite town 20 kilometres west along the lake called Kinloch, where a Jack Nicklaus golf resort is being constructed.

To the north of the town is the geothermal power station at Wairakei, and hot springs suitable for bathing are located at several places in the vicinity of Taupo. One of New Zealand's most spectacular waterfalls, the Huka Falls is also close to the town on the nascent Waikato River.

Taupo is located at the north-east corner of Lake Taupo, in the southern Waikato region. It is situated on a stretch of State Highway 1, shared with State Highway 5. Taupo is one of the few centres in New Zealand that were never linked to the rail network.

Taupo's suburbs include Wharewaka, Nukuhau, Richmond Heights, Mount View, Acacia Bay, Rainbow Point, Tauhara, Hilltop, Gradwell, Taupo CBD, Five Mile Bay, Wairakei and Waitahanui.

One of the main streets of the Taupo CBD, with the Taupo Domain visible at the left.

Aerial view of the town with Lake Taupo and the Waikato River, seen from the east.

Since the mid-1990s Taupo has become increasingly popular as a venue for major sporting events, increasingly of an international nature. The town's compact size, clean environment, central location and supportive council and community have been cited as the reasons for this. Major events in Taupo include:

• A1 Grand Prix
• Ironman New Zealand
• Maxxis FIM International Six Day Enduro
• Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
• Great Lake Relay
• World Water Ski Racing Championships
• Levene Half Marathon

• Taupo Airport
• Taupo Motorsport Park
• Taupo Railway Proposals
• Taupo times

• The district council's site
• Destination Lake Taupo
• Taupo's Wikitravel page
• Turangi and Lake Taupo Website
• Taupo Street Map

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Taupo