DESCRIPTION: In February 1903 the Whangarei Agricultural and Pastoral Society purchased Kensington Park from Robert Thompson, the mortgagee of the land at that time. The park cost £1018 19/- and was paid for in part by a government subsidy granted on the condition that it should be available at all times, free of charge, for the use of the Defence Forces of New Zealand. A special bank loan for £1,200 from the Bank of New Zealand allowed the A. & P. Society to build the grandstand in the same year. The park was first leased to the Whangarei Racing Club in 1911, and it continued to be used by both the racing club and the A. & P. Society after it was sold to the Whangarei Borough Council in 1919. More recently, the racing club has moved out to Ruakaka and there is some doubt as to whether the A. & P. Society will continue to use the park for its annual show.
Location
List Entry Information
Overview
Detailed List Entry
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
3829
Date Entered
6th June 1990
Date of Effect
6th June 1990
City/District Council
Whangārei District
Region
Northland Region
Legal description
Pt lot 2 DP 91326