[1] After closing in 1980 following damage to the generator, the power scheme was fully restored by the local Pupu Hydro Society and many volunteer groups over the course of seven years and re-opened in 1988, again supplying electricity to the national grid.

[2] The scenic Pupu Hydro Walkway follows the historic gold mining water-race between the penstock and the weir at Campbell Creek, before returning along the opposite side of the valley.

The proposed Pupu Hydro Power Scheme was however deemed uneconomical by the central government, and local rate payers voted to take on a loan of £24,000 and proceed with the construction, which involved upgrading the disused Campbell Creek water-race, building a penstock and a powerhouse.

[5] The Pupu Power Scheme survived as an emergency backup, and apart from lightning strike damage in 1956 continued to operate until 1980 when the alternator stator burned out in a 'flashover' short circuit.

The stator pack was completely replaced, control gear and relays were refurbished, and the Boving twin-jet pelton wheel was recast with 24 new buckets.

[8] Later in 1991, the Pupu Hydro Society purchased the powerhouse and the surrounding 1 acre (0.4 ha) of land from the Tasman Electric Power Board, and in 2003 finished construction of the loop track.

[3] The walk passes through the mature podocarp and beech forest of Kahurangi National Park, first zig-zagging up to the penstock, and then following the gentle gradient of the historic gold mining water-race along the steep hill side for 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi) on a narrow boardwalk.