The Mataura River flows south-east from the Eyre Mountains east of Te Ana-au. It passes through the township of Mataura before entering Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (Pacific Ocean) at Toetoes Bay, on the Murihiku (Southland) coast. The Mataura was a significant kāinga mahinga kai (food-gathering place) for local Kāi Tahu and was tribally renowned for its abundance of kanakana (lamprey) particularly at Te Au-nui-pihapiha-kanakana (Mataura Falls). The Mataura was an important ara tawhito (traditional travel route) that provided direct access from Murihiku to Whakatipu Waimāori (Lake Wakatipu).
The township of Mataura, just south of Gore, was founded by European settlers in 1859. The creation of the Invercargill-Gore branch railway line built 1875 dramatically changed the area with several stations built, including Mataura. Development of many inland towns including Mataura flourished with industry such as paper manufacturing, a large dairy factory and later meat freezing came to dominate the local economy. At the turn of the twentieth century the station had ‘one of the largest goods sheds on the Southland section’. A new station was built on the other side of the line in 1913 and this building was destroyed by fire on 11 May 1920. While temporary accommodation was found in the goods shed after the fire, plans were quickly drawn up for a new station building by New Zealand Railways Department Principal Architect, George Troup (1863-1941). It was completed in March 1921 at a cost of £1,696 ($182, 972) for the main building and £600 ($64,730) for the verandah.
Troup was the Principal Architect at the Railways Department from 1888 until he retired in 1925. Under his direction the department developed a set of standardised plans for railways buildings that were erected across New Zealand. This station is a Vintage Station - notable for their lavish decoration and their impressive street aspect, 16 Vintage stations were built between 1900 and 1908, and are viewed as the ultimate development of wooden railway station refinement and elegance.
The Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand describes the Mataura Railway Station building as retaining the original Arts and Craft features as designed by George Troup in 1921. Its largely symmetrical form has gabled wings facing the station on both ends of the main building. There is an asbestos slate roof with original cresting, with brick chimneys on the apex of the roof. The weatherboards are shiplap, and it is prominently decorated. There are eave brackets on all elevations bar that face to the platform, with timber infill and finials on the gables and Tudor-style half-timbering on the external walls. Coloured window panes, in the double hung sash windows, are to be found right around the building. The entrance is sheltered by a suspended portico. The verandah, a gable form with paired railway-iron supports, is partly filled in at both ends to provide shelter.” The interior of the building is particularly original with few alterations with a luggage room, parcels and tickets room, a vestibule (now general office), the ladies waiting room and a lavatory. Some interior features are T & G wall and ceiling linings; original cornices, skirtings and architraves; and the original fireplace in the ladies' waiting room.
The goods shed was removed in 1982 and passenger trains stopped on the line in 2002. The building was partly restored in 1998 and a café ran in the premises from 1999. In 2018, KiwiRail offered the building to the Gore District Council for $1, but ownership was not formally transferred as decision and consents were required to relocate the building as of 2020.
Mataura Railway Station (Former) is a notable example of a Troup-era railway station design. In its use of slates, coloured glass and careful detailing it is a high point in railway station architecture. A comparatively late Troup Vintage station, the building still retains many of its original Arts and Crafts features. The presence of the railway has long been critical to the prosperity of the heavily industrialised small town of Mataura and the station signifies the importance of the railways there.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7345
Date Entered
25th October 1996
Date of Effect
25th October 1996
City/District Council
Gore District
Region
Southland Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Sec 1 and Pt Sec 2 Blk IV Town of Mataura (NZ Gazette 1882, p.1073), Southland Land District, and the building known as the Mataura Railway Station (Former) thereon, and its fittings and fixtures.
Legal description
Sec 1 and Pt Sec 2 Blk IV Town of Mataura (NZ Gazette 1882, p.1073), Southland Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7345
Date Entered
25th October 1996
Date of Effect
25th October 1996
City/District Council
Gore District
Region
Southland Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Sec 1 and Pt Sec 2 Blk IV Town of Mataura (NZ Gazette 1882, p.1073), Southland Land District, and the building known as the Mataura Railway Station (Former) thereon, and its fittings and fixtures.
Legal description
Sec 1 and Pt Sec 2 Blk IV Town of Mataura (NZ Gazette 1882, p.1073), Southland Land District
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The South Island main trunk line reached Mataura in 1875 with the first railway station being built approximately five years later. That building was destroyed by fire on 20 May 1920 and quickly replaced by the present structure, which was finished in March 1921. The presence of the railway has long been critical to the prosperity of the heavily industrialised small town of Mataura.
Physical Significance
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Architectural: The Mataura Railway Station was designed by Railways architect, George Troup, in 1921. Many of the station building's original Arts and Crafts features have been preserved intact.
Why is this place Category 1 / Category 2?
Detail Of Assessed Criteria
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The following comments are made in relation to the criteria identified under S.23(2) of the Historic Places Act 1993. a) The extent to which the place reflects important or representative aspects of New Zealand history: The east coast of the South Island benefited from the creation of a substantial port and railway system during the 1870s and 1880s. The completion of the South Island main trunk spurred the development of inland towns such as Mataura, where first paper manufacturing and later meat freezing came to dominate the local economy. Today, the Mataura station remains one of Southland's freight stations. The station is significant in terms of the development of Mataura and is also has representative significance at a national level. g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place: The Mataura Railway Station building has preserved intact the original features as designed by George Troup in 1921. These features include half-timbering battens, original brick chimneys, double-hung sash windows with Arts and Crafts coloured glass, slate roof with original cresting, and original platform with Troup's well-known scalloped edge valances on the ends of the platform canopy. These features have not been interfered with in any way. The interior of the building is particularly original with few alterations. The interior includes a luggage room, parcels and tickets room, a vestibule (now general office), the ladies waiting room and a lavatory. Some interior features are T & G wall and ceiling linings; original cornices, skirtings and architraves; and the original fireplace in the ladies' waiting room which is still operational. Conclusion: The Mataura Railway Station, Mataura, Southland, is recommended for registration as a Category II as a place of historical and cultural heritage significance and value. The Railway Station building was designed by Railways architect, George Troup, in 1921. The building's still retains many of its original Arts and Crafts features and signifies the importance of the railways in this small industrial town.
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The South Island main trunk line reached Mataura in 1875 with the first railway station being built approximately five years later. That building was destroyed by fire on 20 May 1920 and quickly replaced by the present structure, which was finished in March 1921. The presence of the railway has long been critical to the prosperity of the heavily industrialised small town of Mataura.
Physical Significance
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Architectural: The Mataura Railway Station was designed by Railways architect, George Troup, in 1921. Many of the station building's original Arts and Crafts features have been preserved intact.
Why is this place Category 1 / Category 2?
Detail Of Assessed Criteria
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The following comments are made in relation to the criteria identified under S.23(2) of the Historic Places Act 1993. a) The extent to which the place reflects important or representative aspects of New Zealand history: The east coast of the South Island benefited from the creation of a substantial port and railway system during the 1870s and 1880s. The completion of the South Island main trunk spurred the development of inland towns such as Mataura, where first paper manufacturing and later meat freezing came to dominate the local economy. Today, the Mataura station remains one of Southland's freight stations. The station is significant in terms of the development of Mataura and is also has representative significance at a national level. g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place: The Mataura Railway Station building has preserved intact the original features as designed by George Troup in 1921. These features include half-timbering battens, original brick chimneys, double-hung sash windows with Arts and Crafts coloured glass, slate roof with original cresting, and original platform with Troup's well-known scalloped edge valances on the ends of the platform canopy. These features have not been interfered with in any way. The interior of the building is particularly original with few alterations. The interior includes a luggage room, parcels and tickets room, a vestibule (now general office), the ladies waiting room and a lavatory. Some interior features are T & G wall and ceiling linings; original cornices, skirtings and architraves; and the original fireplace in the ladies' waiting room which is still operational. Conclusion: The Mataura Railway Station, Mataura, Southland, is recommended for registration as a Category II as a place of historical and cultural heritage significance and value. The Railway Station building was designed by Railways architect, George Troup, in 1921. The building's still retains many of its original Arts and Crafts features and signifies the importance of the railways in this small industrial town.
Construction Professional
Name
Troup, George Alexander
Type
Architect
Biography
G A Troup (1863-1941) was born in London in 1863 and educated in Scotland. He trained as an architect and engineer under C E Calvert of Edinburgh and came to New Zealand in 1884. After a short time with the Survey Department in Otago he became a draughtsman for New Zealand Railways in Dunedin and then, from 1888, in Wellington. Troup became Chief Draughtsman in 1894. He designed many station buildings throughout the county, some of which are still in use today; these buildings form an important part of New Zealand's landscape. His best known building is the Dunedin Railway Station (1904-07). He also designed the head office building in Wellington for Railways (1901, now demolished). Troup became a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1907. After World War I he was promoted to head the newly established Architectural Branch of New Zealand Railways. On retirement from Railways in 1925 he entered local body politics and was Mayor of Wellington from 1927 to 1931. Troup was prominent in the Presbyterian Church and founded the Presbyterian Young Men's Bible Class Union. He was an elder of the church for 47 years and also served on the governing bodies of several Wellington secondary schools. Education was a life-long interest and he was keenly involved in the training of engineering cadets in New Zealand Railways. Troup was knighted in 1937 and died in 1941. Last updated 1 October 2014 See also: James Veitch. 'Troup, George Alexander', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1993. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2t49/troup-george-alexander
Construction Details
Start Year
1921
Type
Original Construction
Construction Professional
Name
Troup, George Alexander
Type
Architect
Biography
G A Troup (1863-1941) was born in London in 1863 and educated in Scotland. He trained as an architect and engineer under C E Calvert of Edinburgh and came to New Zealand in 1884. After a short time with the Survey Department in Otago he became a draughtsman for New Zealand Railways in Dunedin and then, from 1888, in Wellington. Troup became Chief Draughtsman in 1894. He designed many station buildings throughout the county, some of which are still in use today; these buildings form an important part of New Zealand's landscape. His best known building is the Dunedin Railway Station (1904-07). He also designed the head office building in Wellington for Railways (1901, now demolished). Troup became a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1907. After World War I he was promoted to head the newly established Architectural Branch of New Zealand Railways. On retirement from Railways in 1925 he entered local body politics and was Mayor of Wellington from 1927 to 1931. Troup was prominent in the Presbyterian Church and founded the Presbyterian Young Men's Bible Class Union. He was an elder of the church for 47 years and also served on the governing bodies of several Wellington secondary schools. Education was a life-long interest and he was keenly involved in the training of engineering cadets in New Zealand Railways. Troup was knighted in 1937 and died in 1941. Last updated 1 October 2014 See also: James Veitch. 'Troup, George Alexander', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1993. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2t49/troup-george-alexander
Construction Details
Start Year
1921
Type
Original Construction
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
12th August 2024
Report Written By
Alison Breese
Information Sources
Archives New Zealand (Auck)
Archives New Zealand (Auckland)
Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand Register
Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand Register
Watt, 1965
J.O.P. Watt, Southland’s Pioneer Railways, New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society Inc., Wellington, 1965
Cyclopaedia of New Zealand (Otago and Southland Provincial Districts)
Cyclopaedia of New Zealand (Otago and Southland Provincial Districts), ‘Mataura’, Christchurch, 1905, https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc04Cycl-t1-body1-d7-d123-d1.html accessed 8 August 2024.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Property File
12021-032
Gore District Council Historic Heritage Items Record Form
Gore District Council Historic Heritage Items Record Form, former Mataura Railway Station, H3.
Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Station style, https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/railway-stations/station-style, updated 20-Dec-2012, accessed 8 August 2024.
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
Veitch, James, 'Troup, George Alexander', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1993, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2t49/troup-george-alexander accessed 8 August 2024.
Other Information
A fully referenced copy of the Upgrade Report is available upon request from the Southern Area Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga .Disclaimer Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero 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. Archaeological sites are protected by the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014, regardless of whether they are entered on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero or not. Archaeological sites include ‘places associated with pre-1900 human activity, where there may be evidence relating to the history of New Zealand’. This List entry report should not be read as a statement on whether or not the archaeological provisions of the Act apply to the property (s) concerned. Please contact your local Heritage New Zealand office for archaeological advice
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
12th August 2024
Report Written By
Alison Breese
Information Sources
Archives New Zealand (Auck)
Archives New Zealand (Auckland)
Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand Register
Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand Register
Watt, 1965
J.O.P. Watt, Southland’s Pioneer Railways, New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society Inc., Wellington, 1965
Cyclopaedia of New Zealand (Otago and Southland Provincial Districts)
Cyclopaedia of New Zealand (Otago and Southland Provincial Districts), ‘Mataura’, Christchurch, 1905, https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc04Cycl-t1-body1-d7-d123-d1.html accessed 8 August 2024.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Property File
12021-032
Gore District Council Historic Heritage Items Record Form
Gore District Council Historic Heritage Items Record Form, former Mataura Railway Station, H3.
Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Station style, https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/railway-stations/station-style, updated 20-Dec-2012, accessed 8 August 2024.
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
Veitch, James, 'Troup, George Alexander', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1993, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2t49/troup-george-alexander accessed 8 August 2024.
Other Information
A fully referenced copy of the Upgrade Report is available upon request from the Southern Area Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga .Disclaimer Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero 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. Archaeological sites are protected by the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014, regardless of whether they are entered on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero or not. Archaeological sites include ‘places associated with pre-1900 human activity, where there may be evidence relating to the history of New Zealand’. This List entry report should not be read as a statement on whether or not the archaeological provisions of the Act apply to the property (s) concerned. Please contact your local Heritage New Zealand office for archaeological advice
Current Usages
Uses: Trade
Specific Usage: Cafe
Former Usages
General Usage: Transport
Specific Usage: Railway station/ platform/ refreshment room
Current Usages
Uses: Trade
Specific Usage: Cafe
Former Usages
General Usage: Transport
Specific Usage: Railway station/ platform/ refreshment room
Location
Related listings
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