St. Mary’s Catholic Church is a towering landmark and a cherished symbol of the local community. Its majestic presence has dominated the Hokitika skyline for over a century, but its future is still being determined.
On the road to Waiuta, you may be intrigued to pull over and take a look through the historic Blackwater School. This charming, one-room schoolhouse, built in 1913, offers a glimpse into the past.
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.
Driven by the Lands and Survey Department’s need for larger premises, Government Architect John Campbell (designer of the nearby Custom House) was tasked with creating this impressive building.
The arrival of the New Zealand Midland Railway Company in 1892 marked a significant moment for the Inangahua district, ending Reefton’s geographic isolation and supporting an industrial boom.
The trials and successes of the local miners and their families are intertwined with the history of Runanga Miners Hall, which spans over a hundred years.
Born in 1887, amidst the 19th-century gold rush, the Reefton School of Mines served as a beacon of knowledge for aspiring miners, equipping them with relevant science and skills.
Recreated 19th-century gold mining town operating as an open-air museum. Offering heritage train rides, gold panning & family-friendly heritage experiences.
An iconic West Coast museum on historic coal mining land. Features category two listed coke ovens onsite, three collections building including a heritage Nissan Hut and the impressive Millerton Incline on the doorstep to explore.
The Jacks Mill Historic Area is a four-acre site in Kotuku, It centres on the former Jacks Mill School and a collection of features created largely by the school’s own pupils.
Established in 1906 as a company town to exploit a major gold discovery, Waiuta thrived until 1951. Today, remnants of mining relics and a handful of buildings, like the police station and cottages, remain.
Constructed in 1872, the Reefton Courthouse is one of the town’s most significant heritage landmarks, built to meet the demand for formal law and order on the goldfields.
Constructed in 1892 by the private Midland Railway Company and relocated to its current site in 1907, the Reefton Steam Shed is the only remaining two-stall, single-road steam engine shed in New Zealand.
Built in 1935 by local builder E.H. Shirley, this architectural entertainment gem was designed by renowned architect Wilford Melville Lawry in the Art Deco style, reflecting the international trends of the time.
Philanthropy and community spirit. The story, intertwined with the legacy of Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie, is a journey of education, resilience, and cultural preservation
The Lyric Theatre showcases community spirit and is Granity’s vibrant cultural hub. Built in 1956 by the Granity Silver Band, the art deco theatres very foundation is entwined with the history of the local people.
Currently, just opposite its original location, the building known as ‘Custom House’ has been a prominent feature of the Hokitika township for over 100 years.
