Hokitika Custom House

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.

Remnant of a Busy Heyday.

Once a bustling port town and the primary gateway for those arriving at the West Coast goldfields, Hokitika demanded significant government oversight. In its heyday, it ranked as the second busiest port in New Zealand, surpassed only by Auckland during Hokitika’s more vibrant years. The necessity for a purpose-built Customs facility became evident due to the multitude of vessel arrivals and departures that required management.

Constructed in 1897 at a cost of £400 ($82,000) to replace an earlier building, the design was the brainchild of the future Government Architect, John Campbell, showcasing a distinctive “New Zealand Queen Anne” style. The investment proved profitable as Customs Collectors collected duty taxes on goods arriving and departing, allowing the building to pay for itself relatively swiftly.

Hokitika retained its official port status until the 1950s, navigating through the aftermath of the goldfields’ decline. With the waning need for Custom House as a harbor facility, the Ministry of Works assumed control of the building, prompting some alterations to both its exterior and interior layout.

Despite modifications, the 1980s brought forth a looming threat of demolition. Rather than erasing this iconic structure from the town’s landscape, a decision was made to preserve Custom House, aligning it more closely with its original design. The building was carefully relocated to its current site and underwent a meticulous renovation.

However, the future of Custom House’s current location now hangs in the balance, subject to planned floodwall modifications. The ongoing evolution of this historic building reflects the dynamic interplay between preservation efforts and the changing needs of the surrounding environment.

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