History – Heritage Mahurangi Inc

1840

Smith family archives, Kathleen and Clem Smith

Bridge House Lodge

Bridge House Lodge: (NZHPT) An historic site in the history. The original home was built and occupied by Warkworth's founder John Anderson Brown in 1854. Today Bridge House Lodge is a restaurant and bar. Downstream on the left side of the Mahurangi River was his timber mill known as Brown's Mill.

1860

Historic Homestead

Historic Homestead

One of the oldest historic homes in Warkworth built by a Dr Southgate. Three generations of the Cook family have lived in the Mill Lane house bought in 1918 by William Cook. It was originally built for the flour mill manager in 1860. The brick building on the corner was built by the Cook family in 1938 as HQ for the Rodney Times.

1863

Warkworth Anglican Church

Warkworth Anglican Church

The founder of Warkworth, John Anderson Brown, gifted the land for the church in 1863. The foundation stone was laid by Sir George Grey, Govenor -General of NZ and the first service was held on 30 April 1876. Across the road is the Anglican Cemetery, where Brown was laid to rest in 1867.

1864

Warkworth Hotel

Warkworth Hotel

The original hotel was located downstream near the Wilson Cement Works. John Southgate, the licensee, erected the current building in 1864. The hotel underwent extensive restoration in 2019 and is well worth a visit to view the historic photographs of yesteryear that adorn its interior walls. The Norfolk Pine tree, planted in 1874, commemorates the birth of Southgate's son.

1870

Thomson House

Thomson House

(NZHPT) also known as Broomfield House. This house was also built by Charles Thomson in the late 1870’s as his home with an adjoining bakehouse. It derives alternative title from solicitor AGL Broomfield who once held his practice here.

1870

Roberts Corner

Roberts Corner

Roberts Corner: Built by Charles Thomson in 1870, the building was a former boarding house also known in the 1920's as Hinemoa House.

1870

Kowhai Park Scenic Reserve

Kowhai Park Scenic Reserve

This unique site is home to the original lime kilns from the 1870s, a relic of the first commercial use of this countries’ mineral resources. Adjacent to the car park is a Rimu tree planted by Lord Bledisloe. In 1934 during the official opening of the park. The recently upgraded bush loop trail takes visitors through beautiful native bush. The bloom of Kowhai trees is a highlight in the spring.

1876

St Columba's Church

St Columba's Church

The original Presbyterian Church: St Columba's (NZHPT):
Opened on July 19, 1876, with Rev. Robert McKinney as its first full-time minister. He served as pastor for 49 years. The tile house next door, with its solid concrete walls, served as the Manse for around 130 years. The adjacent Wilson Hall was built in 1956. A new church and community centre has been constructed on Mansel Drive. In 2024 St Columba's Church transitioned to the new ownership of Mahurangi Vineyard Church which is part of Vineyard Churches Aotearoa New Zealand www.mahurangivineyard.org

1880

Court House

Court House

(NZHPT) Built in 1880 and preserved originally in Victorian architecture. The building once served as a Magistrate Court, a District & Family Court and now is the headquarters for the Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust.

1883

Old Masonic Building

Old Masonic Building

Old Masonic Building: (NZHPT) Built in 1883 a fine example of colonial architecture. Once used as the Warkworth Town Hall up until 1911.

1883

Warkworth Band Room

Warkworth Band Room

Formed originally in 1883, the band was first known as the Warkworth Junior Boys Band, and later as the Warkworth Brass. Over the past few years, the band has evolved, with a marked change in music style. It is now known as the Warkworth Big Band. The building, a section of the old Warkworth Primary School (1895–1945), was originally located on Percy Street and was moved to this site in 1956.

1901

Jack Keys family archives

Methodist Church

Methodist Church

Built and dedicated in 1901. The Church building featured Gothic lines with ornamented coloured glass windows and spire buttresses; some of these features have now been dismantled. Services were held district-wide from 1850’s. Pre 1940’s the vestry was used for the overflow of students from the adjacent school. This church has served the Mahurangi Parish for more than 170 years.

1908

Jack Keys family archives

Riverbank Wharf Walkway and the Jane Gifford

Riverbank Wharf Walkway and the Jane Gifford

From the bridge, take a stroll along the walkway to the heart of the township. Along the wharf, you’ll find plaques dedicated to some of the sponsors who helped fund the construction of the wharf in 1995. Tied up at the wharf is the heritage vessel Jane Gifford (built in Whangateau in 1908), the sole remaining fully rigged sailing scow, which now operates various river excursions. You can also look out for the historic Kapanui, a steam vessel.

1910

Catholic Church

Catholic Church

Catholic Church: Built-in 1910 (it is now the parish hall) The new church was dedicated in 1991.

1911

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Ref: AWNS-19111026-10-01 L. Menc

Former Post Office

Former Post Office

Opposite Town Hall there has been a post office on this site from 1875 until 1999. The building dates 1911. Our founder John Brown was once the Postmaster. Across the road is a kauri tree planted in 1934.

1911

Warkworth Town Hall

Warkworth Town Hall

Warkworth Town Hall: Built in 1911 using the now rare Clark's richly glazed ceramic building blocks. It was used as a cinema from 1930's and has been beautifully restored in 2017 and continues to be the center of all civic and much of the social life of the district.

1914

Alexander Turnbull Library Ref: ½-000591-G William Archer Price

Old Bridge

Old Bridge

The original site of the Bone Mill Bridge which was washed away in 1914. In the same year, a new bridge was built to serve as a highway north & south and used up until the opening of the current vehicle bridge in-1970. The Old Bridge is now only a footbridge situated Just above the Town Weir (1905).

1914-1945

Warkworth War Memorial Library

Warkworth War Memorial Library

Warkworth War Memorial Library: Within the Library is a Roll of Honour of local men & women who were killed between 1914-1945 both in WWI & WWIl The Library overlooks the historic Mahurangi River.

1922

Stubbs Butchery

Stubbs Butchery

Stubbs Butchery - One of New Zealand's oldest butchery's trading on the same site since 1905. Mr Herbert Stubbs ran the family business since 1922.Meat was delivered by horseback. Three generations of Stubbs were butchers until 1999. Then known as Stubbs Butchery now known as Warkworth Butchery

1929

Lucy Moore Memorial Park:

Lucy Moore Memorial Park:

Lucy Moore Memorial Park: At the end of Baxter St is a reserve created by volunteers. Dr Moore MBE was a renowned botanist who once-lived in "Huawai" the old family home on Wilson Rd.

1929

Photo courtesy of the BNZ Archives

Old BNZ Building

Old BNZ Building

Banking facilities within the district began in 1914 with a weekly agency. It was regularly visited by an Auckland branch officer who made the trip from the city either by train to Kaipara Flats, or aboard the steamship Hauiti and is now used commercially. In 1929 a new building was erected in Neville Street. Additions were made in the 1950's and has since undergone extensive additions and upgrades and is now used as other commercial interests. A brand new BNZ building is next door.

1934

The War Memorial

The War Memorial

This memorial commemorates service personnel who served in overseas conflicts. It was relocated to this site from the old bridge in 1934. The park is also home to a band rotunda, which serves as a memorial to King Edward VII and King George V, erected in 1911. Two special trees also commemorate lost loved ones: a rimu tree and a plane tree from Kos, Greece, believed to be descended from the Tree of Hippocrates. The white crosses in the Field of Remembrance honour local soldiers who fell between 1914 and 1918.

1942

Warkworth Returned Services Assoc

Warkworth Returned Services Assoc

The current RSA building; on the top corner of Mill Lane, is on the site of the Old National Patriotic hut. It was built in 1942 and was used as a recreation hall by the American Servicemen, who were camped in the district from 1942-1944. After this time, the hall has been used by RSA men and women and the local community.

1942 - 1944

Memorial Rock

Memorial Rock

Memorial Rock: commemorating the presence and campsites of some 5000 US Marines who were present in the district 1942-1944

1950

Old Bakehouse

Old Bakehouse

Old Bakehouse: (Bakehouse Lane) Used until 1950's to bake local bread. Originally wood fired, the ovens date from early last century. The window in the gable shows where the flour was hoisted upstairs by the gantry

1994

Warkworth Information Centre

Warkworth Information Centre

Warkworth Information Centre: 1 Baxter St. This is the only Visitor information Centre on SHI between Auckland and Whangarei. The Warkworth Centre is a hub for visitors and locals alike, offering bookings for Accommodation, Buses, Tours, Local Events and attractions. Open Weekdays 10am – 4pm Phone 09 425 9081.