The gold rushes of the 1860s more than doubled the population of the colony of New Zealand and produced £21worth of export in the first decade alone. Central Otago was the scene of the first such rush in 1861. Naseby's history as a mining centre was not special or outstanding but it developed an additional layer of historical importance through being one of the mining towns that developed a permanence as a servicing centre for the remaining miners, runholders and subsistence farmers. Protected by the poor state of surface transport from competition from larger centres, Naseby developed a servicing and light industrial role typified by buildings such as the All Nations Store, the watchmaker's shop, the former country council chambers and the former borough clerk's offices. By being bypassed by the railway line, Naseby was condemned to a long period of stagnation and decline. For several decades the town has tried to turn that decline to its advantage by emphasizing its heritage values. Naseby's historical buildings, together with its autumnal displays of colour, have become iconography images of Central Otago's gold mining past; interestingly, even recent structures such as the Jubilee Museum (1988) have mimicked that aesthetic image. Before the 1989 local government reforms, Naseby was New Zeeland's smallest borough.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Area
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7365
Date Entered
13th December 1996
Date of Effect
13th December 1996
City/District Council
Central Otago District
Region
Otago Region
Extent of List Entry
The area lies in the gully of the Hogburn and comprises part of Derwent Street and all of Earne Street in the town of Naseby. It also includes areas visible from these streets. The axis of the area runs roughly north and south with an eastward curve at the northern end. The southern most part of the area is the junction of the main road from Ranfurly with the road from Duntroon via Dansey Pass. The northern termination is the willow-covered wasteland of the Hogburn riverbed. The area includes all the historic buildings listed in the assessment report and in the Building Record forms and key to map.
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Area
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7365
Date Entered
13th December 1996
Date of Effect
13th December 1996
City/District Council
Central Otago District
Region
Otago Region
Extent of List Entry
The area lies in the gully of the Hogburn and comprises part of Derwent Street and all of Earne Street in the town of Naseby. It also includes areas visible from these streets. The axis of the area runs roughly north and south with an eastward curve at the northern end. The southern most part of the area is the junction of the main road from Ranfurly with the road from Duntroon via Dansey Pass. The northern termination is the willow-covered wasteland of the Hogburn riverbed. The area includes all the historic buildings listed in the assessment report and in the Building Record forms and key to map.
Why is this place significant?
Cultural Significance
SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE Naseby School: the school has an important social significance for people bred in the area. SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE Lodge Hall, 1869: of significance to local (and visiting) Freemasons. CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: Lodge Hall, 1869: first lodge in Naseby, also used as church and meeting hail; Survey Office (former) Vacant Section, pre-1876: once a focus of surveying registration, which played an important part in the development of the area; Watchmaker's Cottages, 1860s: These cottages have a long-established link. with the town's historic watchmaker's shop; Street Furniture, (Lamp Post, Stone Curbing, Bridge Parapets): electricity did not come to Naseby until 1946. Before that, the streets were lit with kerosene lamps such as the one listed here, The stones, called : "Chinaman Stones" have a strong local association and a link with the mining operations of the past.
Physical Significance
TECHNOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Garage (former Livery and Bait Stables), pre-1890: this is possibly where sluicing pipes and fittings were made and repaired. AESTHETIC SIGNIFICANCE Naseby School, [nd]: trees and lawn form a pleasant entrance to the precinct; House, Trees, Fences, (Former Surveyor's House), 1910: apparently forms a pleasing visual group; the trees are visually linked to those in the domain opposite; Borough Clerk's House (former): 1889: house, trees, fence and mounting block apparently combine to give a pleasing view of a late-Victorian middle-class dwelling. Mudbrick Shop, (former Chemists) pre-1890: the mudbrick (south) wall of the buildings is apparently important as a backdrop to the War Memorial; Street Furniture, (Lamp Post, Stone Curbing, Bridge Parapets): combine to give the area an "old world" look, the stones also have a "pleasant pink. tint". ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: The following buildings contribute to the historic area. Some are also separately Listed, as noted: Athenaeum, 1873, Category 1 Guffie Cottage, 1860-70, Category 2 Inder Cottage, 1860-70, Category 2 Museum, 1878, Category 2 Post Office, 1900, Category 2 Royal Hotel, 1865 (1879), Category 2 All Nations Store (original portion), 1888 Lodge Hall, 1869: an early example of mudbrick construction (now plastered); House, Trees, Fences, (Former Surveyor's House), 1910: the framing for this house is of Baltic pine, and the weatherboards and joinery are of Kauri and were made on site; Watchmaker's Cottages, 1860's: made of Baltic Pine, and said to be prefabricated; Borough Clerk's House (Former), 1889: this is the most substantial residence in the precinct; Mudbrick Shop (former Chemists), pre-1890: demonstrates the structural qualities of mudbrick construction;
Why is this place significant?
Cultural Significance
SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE Naseby School: the school has an important social significance for people bred in the area. SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE Lodge Hall, 1869: of significance to local (and visiting) Freemasons. CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: Lodge Hall, 1869: first lodge in Naseby, also used as church and meeting hail; Survey Office (former) Vacant Section, pre-1876: once a focus of surveying registration, which played an important part in the development of the area; Watchmaker's Cottages, 1860s: These cottages have a long-established link. with the town's historic watchmaker's shop; Street Furniture, (Lamp Post, Stone Curbing, Bridge Parapets): electricity did not come to Naseby until 1946. Before that, the streets were lit with kerosene lamps such as the one listed here, The stones, called : "Chinaman Stones" have a strong local association and a link with the mining operations of the past.
Physical Significance
TECHNOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Garage (former Livery and Bait Stables), pre-1890: this is possibly where sluicing pipes and fittings were made and repaired. AESTHETIC SIGNIFICANCE Naseby School, [nd]: trees and lawn form a pleasant entrance to the precinct; House, Trees, Fences, (Former Surveyor's House), 1910: apparently forms a pleasing visual group; the trees are visually linked to those in the domain opposite; Borough Clerk's House (former): 1889: house, trees, fence and mounting block apparently combine to give a pleasing view of a late-Victorian middle-class dwelling. Mudbrick Shop, (former Chemists) pre-1890: the mudbrick (south) wall of the buildings is apparently important as a backdrop to the War Memorial; Street Furniture, (Lamp Post, Stone Curbing, Bridge Parapets): combine to give the area an "old world" look, the stones also have a "pleasant pink. tint". ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: The following buildings contribute to the historic area. Some are also separately Listed, as noted: Athenaeum, 1873, Category 1 Guffie Cottage, 1860-70, Category 2 Inder Cottage, 1860-70, Category 2 Museum, 1878, Category 2 Post Office, 1900, Category 2 Royal Hotel, 1865 (1879), Category 2 All Nations Store (original portion), 1888 Lodge Hall, 1869: an early example of mudbrick construction (now plastered); House, Trees, Fences, (Former Surveyor's House), 1910: the framing for this house is of Baltic pine, and the weatherboards and joinery are of Kauri and were made on site; Watchmaker's Cottages, 1860's: made of Baltic Pine, and said to be prefabricated; Borough Clerk's House (Former), 1889: this is the most substantial residence in the precinct; Mudbrick Shop (former Chemists), pre-1890: demonstrates the structural qualities of mudbrick construction;
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
1st November 1996
Report Written By
C. Orsman and G. McLean
Other Information
A copy of the original registration report can be obtained from the NZHPT Otago/Southland Area 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. This historic area 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.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
1st November 1996
Report Written By
C. Orsman and G. McLean
Other Information
A copy of the original registration report can be obtained from the NZHPT Otago/Southland Area 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. This historic area 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.
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: Hotel
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: Shed/store - Residential out-building
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Domain
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Masonic Lodge
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Museum
General Usage: Commemoration
Specific Usage: Memorial - World War One
General Usage: Communication
Specific Usage: Post Office
General Usage: Education
Specific Usage: School
General Usage: Law Enforcement
Specific Usage: Courthouse
General Usage: Trade
Specific Usage: Shop
General Usage: Utilities
Specific Usage: Street light
Themes
War Memorial
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: Hotel
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: Shed/store - Residential out-building
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Domain
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Masonic Lodge
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Museum
General Usage: Commemoration
Specific Usage: Memorial - World War One
General Usage: Communication
Specific Usage: Post Office
General Usage: Education
Specific Usage: School
General Usage: Law Enforcement
Specific Usage: Courthouse
General Usage: Trade
Specific Usage: Shop
General Usage: Utilities
Specific Usage: Street light
Themes
War Memorial
