| Piriaka railway station | |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Elevation: | 230m (760feet) |
| Line: | North Island Main Trunk |
| Distance: | Wellington 387.27km (240.64miles) |
| Opened: | 11 October 1904 |
| Closed: | 4 September 1972 |
| Electrified: | June 1988 |
| Former: | Pirihaka |
Piriaka was a station on the North Island Main Trunk line,[1] in the Ruapehu District of New Zealand, serving Piriaka. It was 5.27km (03.27miles) north of Kakahi and 4.63km (02.88miles) south of Manunui. It formally opened on 9 November 1908, though it was renamed from Pirihaka on 25 April 1902[2] and work was well advanced by 1903,[3] with the rails laid south of Piriaka by May 1904.[4] Goods traffic started on 11 October 1904. By 10 November 1908 a passing loop could take 48 wagons and there was a 6th class station, with water supply, privies and urinals, a 300feet x 20feet passenger platform, loading bank, cattle yards and a 30feet x 20feet goods shed.
The level crossing, on what is now SH4, was replaced by a concrete bridge in 1937.[5]
The railway delivered cream to Kaitieke butter factory,[6] which opened at Piriaka in 1913[7] and produced over 400 tons of butter in 1923.[8] By 1937 roads had improved, but the railway was still taking some supplies to the factory.[9]
