Taupō (Māori pronunciation: [ˈtaʉpɔː]), sometimes written Taupo, is a town located in the central North Island of New Zealand.

[1] Taupō is known for its natural beauty, with the surrounding area offering a range of outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, skiing, and water sports.

Visitors can also enjoy a variety of attractions, including the Wairakei Power Station, Huka Falls, and the Tongariro National Park.

The longer name was first given to the cliff at Pākā Bay, on the eastern shore of the lake, and means the "great cloak of Tia".

[6][7][8][9] In 1868, an armed constabulary post was established in Taupō in order to strengthen communication lines in the central North Island.

The Waikato River drains the lake and runs through the town, separating the CBD and the northern suburbs.

The river flows over the spectacular Huka Falls, a short distance north of the town, Taupō is a centre of volcanic and geothermal activity, and hot springs suitable for bathing are located at several places in the vicinity.

[12] The small but growing satellite town of Kinloch, where there is a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, is 20 kilometres west along the lake.

The town is located inland, which results in the accumulation of dry air causing severe frost during winter.

Taupō is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a medium urban area and covers 42.05 km2 (16.24 sq mi), which stretches from Acacia Bay in the west to Centennial Park in the east and to Taupō Airport in the south.

[20] Taupō is a tourist centre, particularly in the summer, as it offers panoramic views over the lake and to the volcanic mountains of Tongariro National Park to the south.

It offers a number of tourist activities including sky diving, jetboating, parasailing, and bungy jumping.

A large sawmill is sited approximated 3 km to the north east of the town on Centennial Drive.

[30][31] In 2006 Taupō was also the location of the off-road motorcycle event FIM International Six Day Enduro.

[37]Taupō has four high schools: Tauhara College, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College, Māori immersion Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whakarewa i Te Reo ki Tuwharetoa and state integrated Lake Taupo Christian School.

[38] Taupō is one of the few large towns in New Zealand that have never had a link to the national rail network, although there have been proposals in the past.

[39] Taupō first received a public electricity supply in 1952, with the commissioning of the Hinemaiaia A hydroelectric power station south of the town.