Plans for the replacement station were based along similar lines to the station at Levin-essentially a 'Type B' Troup station. Simply put, a Type B station consisted of a gabled wooden rectangular structure and a corrugated iron clad roof. Most of the windows were double-hung sash. The plans for Otaki station also included accommodation for a post office and a refreshment room in fulfilment of previous lease agreements. At this time it was not uncommon for the railway station to also serve as a post office and telephone exchange, and the Post and Telegraph Department contributed to the construction costs for the new railway station. The design also incorporated the verandah of the previous station.
The third Otaki Railway Station was opened in February 1911. The refreshment room was closed in 1919, although a bookstall continued to operate from the station. In 1951 the post office vacated the building in favour of a new, centrally located building. In 1986 Otaki Station was designated a special purpose station. The station continues to be used by train passengers, but the interior has been leased out by the Crown to the Otaki Railway Station Community Trust for commercial purposes.
This station building is one of a rare and diminishing group of vintage railway stations built to a design by George Troup, the Railways Department's first architect. Troup had a major influence on station building design over a long period and Otaki is a fine example of a Type B building. Its largely intact exterior is particularly noteworthy. Historically the building is of very great local significance as the principal gateway for goods and people in and out of the town, until the influence of the railway diminished in the latter half of the 20th century.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
4099
Date Entered
5th September 1985
Date of Effect
5th September 1985
City/District Council
Kāpiti Coast District
Region
Wellington Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent is part of the land described as Lot 1 DP 88386 (RT WN55D/455) and Pt Te Awaroa 12A (RT WN55D/456), Wellington Land District and the building known as Otaki Railway Station thereon and its platform.
Legal description
Lot 1 DP 88386 (RT WN55D/455), and Pt Te Awaroa 12A (RT WN55D/456), Wellington Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
4099
Date Entered
5th September 1985
Date of Effect
5th September 1985
City/District Council
Kāpiti Coast District
Region
Wellington Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent is part of the land described as Lot 1 DP 88386 (RT WN55D/455) and Pt Te Awaroa 12A (RT WN55D/456), Wellington Land District and the building known as Otaki Railway Station thereon and its platform.
Legal description
Lot 1 DP 88386 (RT WN55D/455), and Pt Te Awaroa 12A (RT WN55D/456), Wellington Land District
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
Type
Additional building added to site
Description
Mens Privy
Period
circa 1910s
Start Year
2019
Finish Year
2019
Type
Modification
Description
Removal of part of verandah fascia and spouting -short term only- for safety.
Period
2019
Start Year
2019
Finish Year
2019
Type
Partial Demolition
Description
Demolition of north end of old station platform between station building and NZR urinals.
Period
2019
Start Year
1911
Type
Original Construction
Description
Note that the verandah dates to 1910
Start Year
1919
Type
Modification
Description
Refreshment room closed and converted into a storage area
Start Year
1939
Type
Modification
Description
Kitchen converted into signal adjusters workshop
Start Year
1944
Type
Modification
Description
Small parcels delivery lobby and counter opening off the main station lobby removed
Start Year
1948
Finish Year
1951
Type
Modification
Description
Wall shifted, counter and doorway between parcels and signal room added, provision of doorway access between parcels office and signal room, plus other alterations
Start Year
1953
Type
Modification
Description
New restroom opened
Start Year
1958
Type
Modification
Description
Post Office converted into workshop for signal adjuster
Start Year
1963
startYearCirca
Type
Modification
Description
Signal lever room converted to staff luncheon room
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
Type
Additional building added to site
Description
Mens Privy
Period
circa 1910s
Start Year
2019
Finish Year
2019
Type
Modification
Description
Removal of part of verandah fascia and spouting -short term only- for safety.
Period
2019
Start Year
2019
Finish Year
2019
Type
Partial Demolition
Description
Demolition of north end of old station platform between station building and NZR urinals.
Period
2019
Start Year
1911
Type
Original Construction
Description
Note that the verandah dates to 1910
Start Year
1919
Type
Modification
Description
Refreshment room closed and converted into a storage area
Start Year
1939
Type
Modification
Description
Kitchen converted into signal adjusters workshop
Start Year
1944
Type
Modification
Description
Small parcels delivery lobby and counter opening off the main station lobby removed
Start Year
1948
Finish Year
1951
Type
Modification
Description
Wall shifted, counter and doorway between parcels and signal room added, provision of doorway access between parcels office and signal room, plus other alterations
Start Year
1953
Type
Modification
Description
New restroom opened
Start Year
1958
Type
Modification
Description
Post Office converted into workshop for signal adjuster
Start Year
1963
startYearCirca
Type
Modification
Description
Signal lever room converted to staff luncheon room
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
22nd November 2001
Report Written By
Helen McCracken
Information Sources
Cassells, 1994
K. R. Cassells, Uncommon Carrier, the history of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Co. 1882-1908, Wellington, 1994
Mahoney, 1987
J. D. Mahoney, Down at the Station: A Study of the New Zealand Railway Station, Palmerston North, 1987
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 Central Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. 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
Completion Date
22nd November 2001
Report Written By
Helen McCracken
Information Sources
Cassells, 1994
K. R. Cassells, Uncommon Carrier, the history of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Co. 1882-1908, Wellington, 1994
Mahoney, 1987
J. D. Mahoney, Down at the Station: A Study of the New Zealand Railway Station, Palmerston North, 1987
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 Central Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. 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: Transport
Specific Usage: Railway station/ platform/ refreshment room
Themes
North Island Main Trunk Line
Former Usages
General Usage: Transport
Specific Usage: Railway station/ platform/ refreshment room
Themes
North Island Main Trunk Line
Location
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