Historic Places Trust congratulates Waihi on special day

New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information release
3 February 2007

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust - the country's lead heritage agency - is delighted that Waihi's much-loved heritage icon is now safely anchored on its new site, and that it retains its character as sentinel to the town of Waihi.

Its successful relocation ends years of anxiety during which the Pumphouse continued its earthward tilt in response to the instability and movement of the land it so precariously perched upon.

"Businesses, community groups and individuals at national as well as local levels, have put a lot of energy and passion into this project. This is a wonderful example of collaboration to save a much-loved heritage icon," says the Chief Executive of the Historic Places Trust, Bruce Chapman.

"The New Zealand Historic Places Trust congratulates the many partners who have been actively engaged in this ambitious project."

Heritage, engineering and geotechnical assessments into the condition of the Pumphouse and its site confirmed its precarious situation several years ago, and the need for something to be done urgently - a view shared by the Historic Places Trust.

Planning to assess the feasibility of relocation quickly followed, and an engineering project that saw the Category I historic building moved 350 metres soon put into place.

"The result is that this extraordinary building has now been saved for future generations to enjoy," says Mr Chapman.

Locals and visitors to Waihi can once again enjoy the Pumphouse close up and experience the powerful presence of the industrial ruin, which has been a part of Waihi's identity for some years.

"The Pumphouse has an imposing presence. It's an icon around which stories of Waihi mining can be interpreted - along with associated stories from surrounding areas. The Trust looks forward to working with the different stakeholders to help manage the Pumphouse's future in a way that ensures its heritage integrity is retained into the future," says Mr Chapman.

Waihi's goldmining heritage - including the Pumphouse, the Category I Cyanide Tanks, the Waihi Gold Dredging Plant and Tramway which was registered by the Trust last year, and many other places - are huge heritage tourism assets according to Mr Chapman.

"It's Hauraki District's goldmining heritage that gives it a point of difference from many other regions and an opportunity to link and serialise the stories of some very significant heritage sites stretching from Waihi through the Karangahake Gorge to Paeroa," he says.

"The people of Waihi and Newmont Mining should be congratulated for their work with the Pumphouse and their ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating its history."

Media Contacts: Bruce Chapman, NZHPT Chief Executive - 027-246-3568 or Gail Henry, Lower Northern Area Manager - 027-272-6992