Reefton Oddfellows Hall
From hosting pioneer electrical displays and community events to serving as a temporary post office and prisoner holding facility, the Oddfellows Hall has been woven into Reefton’s fabric for over 150 years.
Born in Early Quartzopolis
Constructed in 1872 at the peak of the early mining boom, the hall is one of Reefton’s oldest surviving buildings. Built for the Independent Order of Oddfellows, this timber structure reflects the town’s early community development and remains an authentic example of 19th-century craftsmanship.
The hall’s most significant moment came in 1888, when it hosted the first public demonstration of hydroelectric power in the Southern Hemisphere. A large arc light illuminated the street outside while rows of multicoloured lamps transformed the interior into what witnesses described as a “hall of dazzling light.” The demonstration proved that the Inangahua River’s power could be harnessed for public benefit, and the town rapidly began connecting to this new technology.
Address
District Buller
Street address 56 Bridge Street
Town Reefton
Postcode 7830