Rope making was one of the pioneering industries established in New Zealand in the 1840s. Rope was essential for sailing ships, industry, ports, households and agriculture. The New Zealand industry grew from the European tradition. In Europe, ropes were made in structures called rope walks. Rope walks were long buildings where strands of fibre the full length of the rope were spread out and laid up (twisted together) Rope making machinery was hand operated until the nineteenth century when steam power was introduced – steam was used at Donaghy’s. The rope and cordage industry in New Zealand was a vital if unsung trade.
The physical requirements of rope making gave the rope walk its specialised architectural form. The length of the walk determined the length of rope that could be made without splicing. Donaghy’s Rope Walk is approximately 300 metres long (reported as 950 feet or 289 metres in 1878) and less than four metres wide, although the overall length of the site to Hillside Road is around 390 metres. According to Donaghy’s records, the rope walk was replaced in 1920 (and perhaps extended). The rope walk has concrete foundations and an asphalt floor. The south end of the building is brick and elsewhere the superstructure is timber framed and clad with vertical board and batten, and also stuccoed at a later date. The wooden roof structure is exposed internally and clad with corrugated asbestos sheeting.
Donaghy’s went on to become the sole supplier of rope and cordage to the New Zealand market after a series of amalgamations and takeovers (taking over Waiuku and Foxton twine works and Wellington Cordage Co among other competitors). The rope walk at Dunedin is said to be the only one remaining in New Zealand. The rope walk ceased commercial production in 2012.
In 2014, Donaghy’s continues to manufacture rope made from both natural and synthetic fibres in its Dunedin factory although the rope walk no longer operates.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7167
Date Entered
21st April 1994
Date of Effect
21st April 1994
City/District Council
Dunedin City
Region
Otago Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Pt Allot 12 Blk V and Sec 26 Blk VII Town SD (RTs OT57/252 and OT57/253) and the building known as Donaghy's Rope Walk thereon.
Legal description
Pt Allot 12 Blk V and Sec 26 Blk VII Town SD (RTs OT57/252 and OT57/253), Otago Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7167
Date Entered
21st April 1994
Date of Effect
21st April 1994
City/District Council
Dunedin City
Region
Otago Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Pt Allot 12 Blk V and Sec 26 Blk VII Town SD (RTs OT57/252 and OT57/253) and the building known as Donaghy's Rope Walk thereon.
Legal description
Pt Allot 12 Blk V and Sec 26 Blk VII Town SD (RTs OT57/252 and OT57/253), Otago Land District
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value Donaghy's Rope Walk is of great historical significance as a result of its association with the rope making industry. It is the only known rope walk of its kind to have survived in New Zealand, if not in the Southern Hemisphere (Ian McDougall). While not a pillar of the colonial economy, the rope making industry nevertheless had a place within New Zealand's industrial heritage and M Donaghy and Co was pre-eminent amongst rope making manufacturers. The company dominated the industry this century.
Physical Significance
ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: Donaghy's Rope Walk is of very great architectural quality as a result of the contribution it makes to industrial archaeology. It would appear to be the only surviving rope walk of its kind in New Zealand. Much of the early plant is intact and the building therefore demonstrates the application of Victorian rope making technology. With technological progress, long lengths of rope can now be manufactured in smaller factory spaces. The survival of early plant adds integrity to the building known as Donaghy's Rope Walk. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: The site of Donaghy's Rope Walk borders Bathgate Park in South Dunedin and with its unusual 380x10 metre dimensions the building has some landmark status.
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value Donaghy's Rope Walk is of great historical significance as a result of its association with the rope making industry. It is the only known rope walk of its kind to have survived in New Zealand, if not in the Southern Hemisphere (Ian McDougall). While not a pillar of the colonial economy, the rope making industry nevertheless had a place within New Zealand's industrial heritage and M Donaghy and Co was pre-eminent amongst rope making manufacturers. The company dominated the industry this century.
Physical Significance
ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: Donaghy's Rope Walk is of very great architectural quality as a result of the contribution it makes to industrial archaeology. It would appear to be the only surviving rope walk of its kind in New Zealand. Much of the early plant is intact and the building therefore demonstrates the application of Victorian rope making technology. With technological progress, long lengths of rope can now be manufactured in smaller factory spaces. The survival of early plant adds integrity to the building known as Donaghy's Rope Walk. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: The site of Donaghy's Rope Walk borders Bathgate Park in South Dunedin and with its unusual 380x10 metre dimensions the building has some landmark status.
Construction Professional
Name
Walden, Edward Walter
Type
Architect
Biography
Walden was born (b.1870) in Dunedin and educated at Otago Boys' High School. He began his architectural career articled to James Hislop. He became a partner in the Dunedin firm of Hislop and Walden, and when Hislop died in 1902, he took over the firm. Walden was responsible for the first abattoirs erected in New Zealand, Hallenstein's Building on the Octagon, a church at Anderson's Bay and Levin and Company's Building, Dunedin. His son Eric practised architecture at Nelson.
Construction Details
Start Year
1878
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1920
Type
Addition
Description
Replacement of rope walk and extension by 120-130 metres
Construction Materials
The building has concrete foundations and an asphalt floor. The south end of the building is brick masonry and elsewhere the superstructure is timber framed and clad with vertical board and batten. The wooden roof structure is exposed and clad with corrugated asbestos sheeting.
Notable Features
Extant plant equipment of the rope walk
Construction Professional
Name
Walden, Edward Walter
Type
Architect
Biography
Walden was born (b.1870) in Dunedin and educated at Otago Boys' High School. He began his architectural career articled to James Hislop. He became a partner in the Dunedin firm of Hislop and Walden, and when Hislop died in 1902, he took over the firm. Walden was responsible for the first abattoirs erected in New Zealand, Hallenstein's Building on the Octagon, a church at Anderson's Bay and Levin and Company's Building, Dunedin. His son Eric practised architecture at Nelson.
Construction Details
Start Year
1878
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1920
Type
Addition
Description
Replacement of rope walk and extension by 120-130 metres
Construction Materials
The building has concrete foundations and an asphalt floor. The south end of the building is brick masonry and elsewhere the superstructure is timber framed and clad with vertical board and batten. The wooden roof structure is exposed and clad with corrugated asbestos sheeting.
Notable Features
Extant plant equipment of the rope walk
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Public NZAA Number
I44/1043
Completion Date
26th February 2014
Report Written By
Heather Bauchop
Information Sources
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)
Land Information New Zealand
New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT)
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
Thornton, 1982
Geoffrey G. Thornton, New Zealand's Industrial Heritage, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1982
Lucas, 1979
K G Lucas, A New Twist, A Centennial of Donaghy's Industries Ltd, Donaghy's Industries Ltd, Dunedin, 1979
Hocken Collections
'Early History of Otago Steam Ropeworks...', notes compiled by H.J. Simcock (1944) AG-202/1711, Donaghys Industries Limited: Records (ARC-0042)
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Otago/Southland Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. A fully referenced upgrade report is available on request from the Southern Regional Office of NZHPT. A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Southern region office. 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
Public NZAA Number
I44/1043
Completion Date
26th February 2014
Report Written By
Heather Bauchop
Information Sources
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)
Land Information New Zealand
New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT)
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
Thornton, 1982
Geoffrey G. Thornton, New Zealand's Industrial Heritage, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1982
Lucas, 1979
K G Lucas, A New Twist, A Centennial of Donaghy's Industries Ltd, Donaghy's Industries Ltd, Dunedin, 1979
Hocken Collections
'Early History of Otago Steam Ropeworks...', notes compiled by H.J. Simcock (1944) AG-202/1711, Donaghys Industries Limited: Records (ARC-0042)
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Otago/Southland Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. A fully referenced upgrade report is available on request from the Southern Regional Office of NZHPT. A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Southern region office. 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.
Current Usages
Uses: Manufacturing
Specific Usage: Ropewalk
Former Usages
General Usage: Manufacturing
Specific Usage: Ropewalk
Current Usages
Uses: Manufacturing
Specific Usage: Ropewalk
Former Usages
General Usage: Manufacturing
Specific Usage: Ropewalk
Location
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