Huka Prawn Park was founded in 1987. We specialise in Aquaculture, a term used to describe the propagation and rearing of aquatic animals in a controlled or selected environment. Aquatic species such as Prawns, are being raised commercially today as the wild stocks caught from the ocean are being depleted. The aim here, was to research and develop the ability to breed and grow tropical prawns in captivity using waste geothermal heat from the geothermal power station next door. The Park can not use the geothermal water directly into the ponds due to its silica content so therefore, uses heat exchangers whereby the geothermal fluid heats fresh Waikato River water to 20 degrees which is then circulates through to the ponds. A species called Macrobrachium Rosenbergii - was chosen being best for commercial production, females spawn up to five times per year; a 50-gram female can produce up to 50.000 eggs. The Rosenbergii grow very fast and are ready to harvest at 8 months of age. Earthworks began 1987 consisting of a large settling pond and five half-acre ponds, which are thermostatically controlled. Within one year a 4000 square foot hatchery was designed along with an associated pump-house, heat exchange installation, laboratory, administration office, workshop, food storage and preparation areas. By 1988 all the ponds were full of New Zealand Prawns – 150,000 in total. In 2002 earthworks began again, creating another 9 ponds, which brought the total of ponds to 19. Fully stocked, Huka Prawn Park has the ability to produce 5 tones of Prawns per year. Our fishing area is a first in New Zealand. Huka Prawn Park’s alfresco Restaurant is Taupo’s only Riverside Restaurant, seating up to 400 inside and out. The production of prawns has been a long hard struggle but the rewards have been well worth the effort as this unique New Zealand venture, Huka Prawn Park, is now receiving International acclaim for its continuous success.
