Photo: RNZ / Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
Born and bred Reefton sparky Greg Topp is part of a team of locals who formed the Reefton Powerhouse Trust in 2011.
Their goal is to restore the old hydro scheme on the Inangahua River to its former glory.
The Trust has raised $4.5 million for the project and restoration work is underway on the buildings and on a 1.8 kilometre water race.
It has also purchased a Swedish hydro-turbine and, once it's up and running, it will produce electricity to sell to the national grid.
Greg says any profits will go back to the community.
The original Reefton Power Station was built in 1888 and was the first public power supply in New Zealand.
