The Waitaki Hydro dam (sited not far from Kurow) was the fifth power station to be built by the State in New Zealand. Investigation into the suitability of the site began in 1925 with work commencing three years later. Working and living conditions were very difficult at Waitaki and the completion of a dam across the Waitaki without the use of a diversion channel or modern machinery was seen as a civil engineering feat. Excavation work was done mainly by pick and shovel and only one full-time draughtsman was employed working from the drawings produced by the Public Works Department's design office in Wellington. Despite the difficult conditions, only nine lives were lost of the 500-1,250 people that worked on the project which reached completion in 1935.
The Waitaki project was not only significant for its innovative engineering work (under project engineer, R.H. Packwood) but also for the welfare policies that were instated to improve living and working conditions during the Depression years of the early 1930's. Permanent accommodation was provided for the workers and a scheme was developed by the Waitaki Hydro Medical Association whereby a small amount of money was deducted regularly from the workers' earnings and paid into an insurance programme to provide free health care for the worker and his family.
The concrete block houses within the area were built early in the project (1929) to provide accommodation for the camp's senior staff and their families. Single men and more junior staff were provided with wooden houses or huts in a separate part of the complex. In the 1980's the remaining concrete block houses, hostel and environs were threatened with demolition but are now protected by a heritage covenant which ensures their future protection.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Area
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7080
Date Entered
3rd March 1995
Date of Effect
3rd March 1995
City/District Council
Waitaki District
Region
Canterbury Region
Extent of List Entry
The area comprises the Waitaki Hydro Village, including the former hostel, nine houses and the stone walls surrounding the hostel and garden plots, and the existing mature trees.
Legal description
Sec 1 SO 23618 (RT OT13D/1190), Otago Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Area
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7080
Date Entered
3rd March 1995
Date of Effect
3rd March 1995
City/District Council
Waitaki District
Region
Canterbury Region
Extent of List Entry
The area comprises the Waitaki Hydro Village, including the former hostel, nine houses and the stone walls surrounding the hostel and garden plots, and the existing mature trees.
Legal description
Sec 1 SO 23618 (RT OT13D/1190), Otago Land District
Why is this place significant?
Cultural Significance
This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Cultural/Social: Welfare provisions introduced during the Waitaki scheme contributed much towards social change in New Zealand. The housing complex is representative of the lifestyle of the senior staff and their families while working on the dam project.
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The Waitaki Hydro project is significant in terms of New Zealand's engineering history. Of equal significance is the fact that the Social Security system had its origins within the programme, developing policies on employment, health and welfare, accident compensation and state housing.
Physical Significance
This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Architectural: The nine concrete houses and hostel were designed and built as a complex and therefore have significance as a group. The 1930's bungalows were constructed of concrete, due to the availability of the material on site, and bolstered to resemble limestone. Aesthetic: The landscaped village complex of houses, hostel and surrounding stone walls has had little modification and is largely intact. This area has aesthetic appeal and emphasises the social strata set up within the project's workforce when comparing the living conditions of senior staff to more junior staff who lived in temporary timber accommodation. The completion of the Waitaki dam project (1928-35) was a significant New Zealand engineering feat, however, the working and living conditions were particularly harsh. Policies on welfare (a precursor to the Social Security system) were developed to help workers in terms of adequate housing and health care. The concrete block houses for senior staff are the remnants of a large scale operation that took seven years to complete and employed up to 1200 people.
Why is this place significant?
Cultural Significance
This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Cultural/Social: Welfare provisions introduced during the Waitaki scheme contributed much towards social change in New Zealand. The housing complex is representative of the lifestyle of the senior staff and their families while working on the dam project.
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The Waitaki Hydro project is significant in terms of New Zealand's engineering history. Of equal significance is the fact that the Social Security system had its origins within the programme, developing policies on employment, health and welfare, accident compensation and state housing.
Physical Significance
This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Architectural: The nine concrete houses and hostel were designed and built as a complex and therefore have significance as a group. The 1930's bungalows were constructed of concrete, due to the availability of the material on site, and bolstered to resemble limestone. Aesthetic: The landscaped village complex of houses, hostel and surrounding stone walls has had little modification and is largely intact. This area has aesthetic appeal and emphasises the social strata set up within the project's workforce when comparing the living conditions of senior staff to more junior staff who lived in temporary timber accommodation. The completion of the Waitaki dam project (1928-35) was a significant New Zealand engineering feat, however, the working and living conditions were particularly harsh. Policies on welfare (a precursor to the Social Security system) were developed to help workers in terms of adequate housing and health care. The concrete block houses for senior staff are the remnants of a large scale operation that took seven years to complete and employed up to 1200 people.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Information Sources
Natusch, 1984
G.G. Natusch, Waitaki Dammed, Otago Heritage Books (1984)
Other Information
Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Information Sources
Natusch, 1984
G.G. Natusch, Waitaki Dammed, Otago Heritage Books (1984)
Other Information
Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Tree/tree groups
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Wall/Fence
General Usage: Commemoration
Specific Usage: Accommodation House
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Tree/tree groups
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Wall/Fence
General Usage: Commemoration
Specific Usage: Accommodation House
Location
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