Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value Although the Government Buildings, Tauranga were designed to house a wide range of Government departments, including a court room, lands office and customs office, its design is closely related to that of post office buildings erected during the early twentieth century. The general growth of state services under Liberal Government (1890-1911) and the expansion of postal services which occurred throughout New Zealand prior to the First World War saw the construction of many such buildings. Similar post office buildings were erected in Wanganui (1902), Carterton (1903), Greymouth (1909) and Westport (1913). However, the Government Buildings Tauranga are one of the few remaining examples left intact, illustrative of a most important era in the history of the post office - a period when the post office was the focal point and a pronounced architectural statement in provincial towns. The first postmaster to have worked in the building, C E Nicholas, was a notable figure in Tauranga. He was postmaster between 1903 and 1909 and also a Lay Reader at Holy Trinity Church, Tauranga, President of the Tauranga Musical Society and an Office Bearer in the local cricket and regatta clubs, as well as a member of the bowling club. Post masters were key business and social figures in such communities at this stage of New Zealand's development. Tauranga's population was only 5,000 by the 1930s. The first Stipendiary Magistrate to work in the building, Lieutenant-Colonel John MacKintosh Roberts (1840-1928), was also a notable figure in New Zealand's early history. At the beginning of the Waikato War the 'farm buildings were burned down by hostile natives' and Roberts joined the Forest Rangers. In November ha was given his ensigncy and in March 1864 he was promoted Lieutenant. At the end of hostilities he was appointed Magistrate at Rotorua and in 1868 as Sub-Inspector of the Armed Constabulary, proceeding with that force from Waikato to Patea. He served under Van Tempsky at the relief of Turuturumokai and was left in command of that post. He was awarded the New Zealand Cross in 1876. (See Scholefield, pp. 245-6) Roberts was appointed Magistrate at Tauranga c.1893 and brought 'a cool judgement to the intractable racial problem' both as a Magistrate and a Senior Officer.

Physical Significance

Architectural Significance: The Tauranga Post Office is significant as perhaps the last extant post office building remaining intact in a style which was once common throughout New Zealand. It is also one of only a few remaining exuberant Baroque designs by John Campbell which retains its segmental pediments, a hallmark of his work. Its architectural vitality is unparalleled in Tauranga. By stylistic reference to the architecture of such distinguished British architects as Sir Christopher Wren, James Gibbs and John Vanbrugh the building testifies to the continued importance of British as a source of inspiration for New Zealand architects well into the twentieth century. Its composition, with its asymmetric placement of a single tower was a feature of post offices erected between c.1900 and c.1914 and makes dramatic use of the raised site of the building. Townscape/Landmark Significance: The building is a notable townscape landmark in Tauranga because of both its distinctive architectural design and clock tower. Its siting on the terrace overlooking the harbour is striking.