Local Landmark

• The hulks of Shakespear Regional Park - May 2011
• North Auckland Rail Line - June 2010
• Shakespear Homestead, Shakespear Regional Park – April 10
• Riverina Homestead, Warkworth  –  February 10
• Mataia Homestead, Glorit - November 09
• Waiwera Hot Pools - September 09
• Warkworth Wharf - July 09
• Leigh Radar Station - April 09  LEST WE FORGET
• Dacre Cottage, Weiti - March 09
   

The hulks of Shakespear Regional Park - May 2011

On low tide, the boiler and rusted, mussel-encrusted railing of a ship can be seen reaching several metres into the air off Okoromai Bay. These days the ship’s remains are largely reclaimed by the sea, providing a perch for black backed gulls and a home for sea creatures, but they also attract occasional divers, who cruise alongside in inflatable boats then jump in to take a closer look, or passing fishers. Yet, as editor Terry Moore found out, the wreck, together with three others, once formed a unique solution to a problem – creating shelter for the Shakespear family’s precious boat, The Frances.

North Auckland Rail Line - June 2010

The opening of the North Auckland Rail Line, between Helensville and Whangarei was a momentous occasion for the Kaipara district. The line was expected to bring growth and prosperity to the still relatively isolated settlements along the route.  Now, more than a century later, KiwiRail says the service will be reviewed and unless there is an anchor customer or a compellingly good reason for it to stay open, the line will be closed or mothballed by 2012.

Shakespear Homestead, Shakespear Regional Park – April 10

In its 100 years of existence, the Shakespear homestead has gone from housing a large farming family to providing bunkroom accommodation to thousands of local youth taking part in outdoor education programmes. The building, designed as a modest home for Blanche and Robert Shakespear’s family, was occupied by them until the farm and homestead was purchased by the Auckland Regional Authority (now Auckland Regional Council) in 1967.

Riverina Homestead, Warkworth  –  February 10

It seems unlikely that any home in Warkworth has had such a chequered history as Riverina, built more than 100 years ago by Nathaniel and Florence Wilson. Starting as a grand home fit for the owner of one of New Zealand’s most successful cement enterprise, the two-storey villa on the corner of Wilson and Hepburn Creek Roads has served an extraordinary range of occupants and uses since then.

Mataia Homestead, Glorit - November 09

Visitors to Mataia Homestead, on the Kaipara Coast Highway at Glorit, could be forgiven for thinking that the graceful two-storey villa with the unusual ‘m’ shaped roof, was recently moved to the property. The home has the fresh appeal of a building that looks like it has just been finished. It also lacks the stately trees or established gardens normally associated with homes of any great age. In fact, any suggestion that the home is a recent arrival couldn’t be further from the truth.

Waiwera Hot Pools - September 09

Improved health and tourism are just some of the benefits that flow from the thermal springs at Waiwera. The hot pools form a natural heart for the township that wraps around them and are used regularly by locals who enjoy their low-key community flavour. Growth and development in and around the pools will in turn influence the future of the township as the population in this part of Rodney grows.

Warkworth Wharf - July 09

The history of Warkworth Wharf, or rather the motley collection of wharves that were eventually transformed into river frontage the town can be proud of, tells the story of the town itself. No other structure in Warkworth has been so integral to the development of the town over the past 155 years.

Leigh Radar Station - April 09  LEST WE FORGET

World War II arrived in New Zealand with a bang when the trans-Pacific liner Niagara was sunk by a German mine off the Northland coast. The sinking shocked the public and shattered any illusions that distance alone would protect us from enemy attack. On the nights of June 13 and 14, 1940, the German auxiliary cruiser (armed merchant raider) Orion had slipped undetected into New Zealand waters and laid 228 contact mines in the northern and eastern approaches to the Hauraki Gulf.

Dacre Cottage, Weiti - March 09

Since Dacre Cottage was built, 154 years ago, it has weathered storms, changes in ownership and neglect, but perhaps the most severe test is still to come. Situated in remote Karepiro Bay, the homestead can only be accessed by boat or on foot via Okura Bush Walkway, which starts from Haighs Access Rd or Stillwater Road and involves a three hour return trip. This will change when developer Evan Williams, who purchased the Weiti Block in December 2005, builds a carpark in Weiti Forest and a 1km track to Dacre Cottage.