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 Classification report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Historical: The Waiau Viaduct is a component of the Napier Gisborne railway-a major regional line built between 1911 and 1942. This was one of the last major links in the national railway system.

Physical Significance

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Classification report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Aesthetic: The Waiau viaduct is an outstanding visual structure in the local landscape. Architectural: This impressive engineering structure has a very large open spandrel parabolic arch and the counterpoint of girder spans on either side, all are supported on graceful tapered trestle piers. It is a noteworthy example of reinforced concrete design. Technological: The structure was sophisticated for its time, incorporating advanced technology in seismic resistance through the use of continuous spans and completely monolithic construction.

Detail Of Assessed Criteria

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Classification report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. (a) The extent to which the place reflects important or representative aspects of New Zealand history: The provision of transport services is a key element in New Zealand's history and Gisborne was one of the last cities to be connected to the national railway system. This viaduct, one of several on the 60-mile stretch between Wairoa and Gisborne, is representative of the expensive engineering solutions that railway builders had to devise. (b) The association of the place with events, persons or ideas of importance in New Zealand history: The viaduct is closely associated with the provision of transport services, in this case, the Napier-Gisborne link. The viaduct is associated with the government policy of the First Labour Government in regard to public works-based economic reconstruction. (g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place: This is a design of high quality and the viaduct as a whole has a high visual impact. Designed in 1939 by C.W.O Turner, it was hailed as a splendid work, incorporating advanced technology. The arch has a span of 54 meters and a rise of 29 meters. The maximum height of the viaduct above the stream is 39 meters. Conclusion: Waiau Viaduct, Kopuawhara Valley, Wairoa is recommended for registration as a Category II as a place of historical and cultural heritage significance and value. This impressive engineering structure is a noteworthy example of reinforced concrete design on a railway line that was one of the last major links in the national railway system.

Geoffrey, 2001

B Geoffrey, Churchman and Tony Hurst, The Railways of New Zealand: A Journey Through History, Wellington, 2001.

Mahoney, 1987

J. D. Mahoney, Down at the Station: A Study of the New Zealand Railway Station, Palmerston North, 1987