The original scheme included a concrete arch dam 10 m (33 ft) high, a penstock 1.25 km (0.78 mi) long, and a powerhouse containing a Boving pelton wheel, rated at 250 kW.

[1] After the Onekaka Ironworks closed, the power station remained in operation from 1937 to 1944, generating electricity for the Golden Bay area.

A group of local hydro enthusiasts began work on a rebuild in 1995,[3] and formed a company Onekaka Energy Ltd to manage the re-development and operation of the scheme.

The hydraulic head of the station is 200 m (660 ft)[7] and the rated capacity of the new generating plant is 940 kW.

[9] One unusual feature of this power station is that it is remotely monitored and controlled using text messages via the cellular phone network.