Cultural Significance

Cultural/Social: The present Remuera station continues to be used, as it has been for 87 years, by suburban rail commuters. It is an important reminder of the role played by the rail system in the country's communication, rapid urbanisation and development. It also illustrates the rise and partial decline of rail in New Zealand's economy and general life. Traditional: As a station stop, Remuera has been in use for around 120 years, 87 of which have been with the present station buildings. The continuity of use of suburban rail services at Remuera shows no sign of abating at present.

Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value Remuera Station illustrates the important role railways played in the communication and development in New Zealand. It is typical of many smaller suburban stations that started as small utilitarian structures but were later replaced by something far grander around the turn of the century. Like many other small stations, Remuera experienced decline after WW2 but during the 1970's was used as a major freight depot. The station now only serves suburban passenger trains.

Physical Significance

Aesthetic: This is a fine example of an Edwardian island station and signal box with a purpose built garden located on the island platform. The Remuera station is easily seen from the Auckland motorway and is a prominent landmark. It has considerable townscape value. Architectural: Remuera is New Zealand's finest remaining example of an island station and, outside the four main centre stations, one of the finest in the country. It is in virtually original condition and augmented by an equally fine signal box, designed and built to a similar style. It exemplifies well the Edwardian Domestic Revival style favoured by George Troup during this period. The station was finished to a particularly high standard. Technological: Remuera Station was purpose designed as an island station, ie, having control over two railway lines through its signalling system. The mechanical semaphore signalling system which was introduced throughout the country by NZ railways at around the time Remuera was built, was a major technological advance in the system of "safe working" railway lines in order to prevent accidents and facilitate traffic. Colour light signals replaced the semaphore system in 1925. The development of the two railway line system in itself doubled the carrying capacity of the Newmarket-Penrose line.

Detail Of Assessed Criteria

g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place: Remuera station and signal box , 1907-08, is considered the best example in New Zealand of a Troup period timber 'Island Stations' built between 1900 and 1914. J.D. Mahoney comments that Troup stations "...covered a wider range of options...and embodied current fashions and practices of the domestic building scene which had always been borrowed for the railway station in New Zealand. Such decorative items as finials and eaves brackets and fascia boards came from the house..." Remuera's design incorporates Queen Anne gables, cast iron and timber finials, original Marseilles tiling and tiled roof-ridge cresting. It was built with fashionable refinement in mind and an eye on the class of commuter who would use the station. The near original interior features a pressed zinc Wunderlich ceiling and built in office furniture. j) The importance of identifying rare types of historic places: Island stations, once common rail structures, are now very rare. Remuera is not only the best example remaining but of the five stations built on the Auckland-Penrose line for the 1909 track duplication, it is only one of two left - (the other one, Newmarket is believed to be destined for demolition in the near future). Remuera is also rare in its integrity, in that virtually all of the building's original fabric remains. New Zealand's rail buildings were regularly adapted, altered, added to or demolished, according to the requirements of the time. Remuera shares a rare distinction with few others, in its relatively unaltered state. Conclusion: Remuera Station and Signal Box, is recommended for registration as a Category I as a place of special and outstanding historical and cultural heritage significance and value. It is an excellent example of an early New Zealand railway station. The Edwardian station is architecturally interesting but its real significance lies in the fact that there are few places where station and signal box (both in relatively original condition) survive in close proximity to one another. A preservation trust has now been set up to look after the two buildings and restoration is underway.