ECM 8199942 V1 SUB18/47061

From: Hamish Crimp Sent: 18 Dec 2019 14:57:01 +1300 To: applications Subject: Seaport (Cool Stores) Subdivision and Land Use Resource Consent Application - Heritage Taranaki Submission Attachments: Heritage Taranaki Submission (submission form) for Seaport (Cool Stores) Subdivision and Land Use Resource Consent Application .pdf, Heritage Taranaki Submission (attached information) for Seaport (Cool Stores) Subdivision and Land Use Resource Consent Application.pdf

Kia ora,

Please find attached the two documents comprising Heritage Taranaki's submission on the Seaport (Cool Stores) Subdivision and Land Use Resource Consent Application.

Please direct any queries regarding this submission to Hamish Crimp at [email protected].

Kind regards, Hamish Crimp, On behalf of Heritage Taranaki Incorporated

Document Set ID: 8199942 Version: 1, Version Date: 18/12/2019 Version: 1, Version Date: 18/12/2019 Document SetID:8199942

Liardet Street, Private Bag 2025, New Plymouth 4342, New Zealand. Telephone 06-759 6060, Fax 06-759 6072, Email [email protected], Website www.newplymouthnz.com © New PlymouthDistrict Council2018 Time received Time OFFICE USEONLY Received by Date received once theCouncilreceives responses from allaffected parties. District Councilmayadoptanearlierclosingdateforsubmissions If theapplicationissubjecttolimitednotification,NewPlymouth day followingthedateapplicationwasnotified. Submissions mustbereceivedbytheendof20thworking 3. 2. 1. 1a. no emailaddress provided thedocumentswillbeposted totheabovepostaladdress. The Councilwillserveallformaldocumentselectronically viatheemailaddress provided above.Where there is Serving ofdocuments 1d. 2b. 2a. 1e. 1b. 1c. Trade competition Application details in Part11AoftheRMA. If youare atradecompetitor, yourrighttomakeasubmissionmaybelimitedbythetradecompetitionprovisions • • Select oneofthefollowing: 2c. 2d. Submitter details Does notrelate totradecompetitionortheeffects oftradecompetition. Adversely affects theenvironment, and ie address Site Applicant proposed activity Description ofthe I am I amatradecompetitorforthepurposesofsection308B RMA. I amnotatradecompetitorforthepurposesofsection308BRMA. (Proceed to4.) Full name 352 ofRMA1991 service underSection methodof alternative Postal address or Telephone address Electronic service surveyor e.g. lawyer, planner, if different from above Contact person’s name number Resource consent I amnot First name(s) First name(s) Designation directly affected byaneffect ofthesubjectmattersubmissionthat: Mobile First name(s) Property ID Land ID Landline Company consent applicationsubjectto public orlimitednotification Submission onaresource Application # Document # Or postto: Email to: [email protected] Email Resource ManagementAct1991 Surname Surname Surname New Plymouth4342 Private Bag2025 New PlymouthDistrictCouncil The PlanningLead FORM 13 FORM APP-PL-403-F, Feb18, V7,Page1 of 4

4. Submission

Before making a submission, please ensure you have read/seen the full resource consent application, including the assessment of environmental effects (AEE) and all the plans.

4a. I/we support the I/we oppose the I am/we are neutral application in whole application in whole to the application or in part or in part

4b. Please specify below: i. The matters within the application you support or oppose, or wish to comment on. ii. The reasons for making this submission (please give precise details).

Attach additional pages if required.

Document© New Plymouth Set DistrictID: 8199942 Council 2018 APP-PL-403-F, Feb 18, V7, Page 2 of 4 Version: 1, Version Date: 18/12/2019 4. Submission - continued

4c. I seek the following decision from the Council: To grant resource To decline resource Grant resource consent with consent consent amendments and/or conditions (as described below)

4d. Please specify details of the decision you seek from the Council, including the parts of the application you wish to have amended and the general nature of conditions sought:

Attach additional pages if required.

Document Set ID: ©8199942 New Plymouth District Council 2018 APP-PL-403-F, Feb 18, V7, Page 3 of 4 Version: 1, Version Date: 18/12/2019 5. Attendance and wish to be heard at hearing

A formal hearing may be held for notified applications if any matters are not resolved at a pre-hearing meeting. It gives the applicant, and all submitters who stated in their submission that they wish to be heard, the opportunity to formally present their views to an independent commissioner.

It is recommended that submitters speak to their submission for all but minor issues. Stating that you wish to be heard at the submission stage does not obligate you to appear at the hearing later if you change your mind. If you state that you do not wish to be heard, the Council is not obliged to advise you of the hearing or send you the hearing documents. However you will be sent a copy of the decision and retain your right to appeal the decision.

5a. If a hearing is held, do you wish to be heard in support of Yes No your submission? 5b. If others make a similar submission, would you consider Yes No presenting a joint case with them at the hearing? You may choose to contribute toward the cost of engaging a professional e.g. a planner or lawyer to represent your combined interests.

6. Privacy statement

The Privacy Act 1993 applies to the personal information provided in this submission. For the purposes of processing the resource consent application the Council may disclose your personal information to another party. If you want to have access to, or request correction of, that personal information, please contact the Council.

7. Declaration and privacy waiver

I will/have served a copy of my submission on the applicant, as required by Section 96(6) of the Resource Management Act 1991.

By signing* this submission or by submitting this submission electronically, I confirm that the information contained in this submission is true and correct. I agree to the disclosure of my personal information in respect of this submission. If signing on behalf of a trust or company, please provide additional written evidence that you have signing authority.

Signature of submitter (or person authorised Date to sign on behalf of submitter)

*A signature is not required if this submission is submitted electronically.

Notes to submitter

1. If you are making a submission to the Environmental Protection Authority, you should use form 16B.

2. Please note that your submission (or part of your submission) may be struck out if the authority is satisfied that at least one of the following applies to the submission (or part of the submission): • It is frivolous or vexatious. • It discloses no reasonable or relevant case. • It would be an abuse of the hearing process to allow the submission (or the part) to be taken further. • It contains offensive language. • It is supported only by material that purports to be independent expert evidence, but has been prepared by a person who is not independent or who does not have sufficient specialised knowledge or skill to give expert advice on the matter.

3. You may wish to obtain your own professional advice, such as from a lawyer, surveyor or planner, before finalising your submission. ‘An Everyday Guide to the RMA’ found on the Ministry for the Environment website www.mfe.govt.nz has useful information for submitters. If you have any further questions regarding this process, phone the Council on 06-759 6060 and ask to speak to the planner processing the application.

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Scope of Heritage Taranaki’s Submission

As an organisation committed to the preservation of historic places in Taranaki for current and future generations, Heritage Taranaki’s submission will focus on those aspects of the resource consent application relating to heritage matters.

Heritage Taranaki considers that matters relating to archaeology and sites of significance to Māori have been dealt with satisfactorily in the resource consent application; accordingly, this submission will be focused on the effects of the proposed development on built heritage values.

Heritage Taranaki’s Position

Heritage Taranaki, in principle, supports the redevelopment of the former Moturoa cool stores for mixed residential and commercial purposes.

However, Heritage Taranaki is concerned that the granting of resource consent for the development in its current form will have significant negative effects on the built heritage values of the site through the total and/or partial demolition of buildings with strong heritage values.

Heritage Taranaki thus supports this resource consent application in part, requesting that resource consent only be granted if certain conditions relating to the retention and restoration of built heritage elements are attached.

Heritage Taranaki’s position as relating to individual buildings:

• Engine Room: Supports the retention and restoration of this building (including earthquake strengthening). Strongly opposes demolition of southern canopy. • Nixon Store/Butter Store: Strongly opposes the demolition of this building. • Fluker-Rundle Store/Produce Store: Supports retention of southern façade. Strongly opposes demolition of main structure and southern canopy. • Parsons Store: Supports the retention of this building. Opposes demolition of southern canopy. Requires clarity regarding retention or removal of specific components.

4b.ii.

Reasoning

Heritage Taranaki considers the buildings comprising the former Moturoa cool stores to be of historic significance for their long association with the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works and the Taranaki dairy industry, which has, and continues to play, an important role in Taranaki’s economy and sense of identity.

Whilst all buildings subject to the resource consent application contribute to the historic context of the former Moturoa cool stores site, Heritage Taranaki considers that the Engine Room, Nixon Store/Butter Store, Fluker-Rundle Store/Produce Store and Parsons Store, both individually, and as part of a group, have significant heritage values and should be retained and adaptively reused as part of the new development.

These four buildings are considered to be significant for their strong association with the economic and social history of New Plymouth (and Taranaki); their association with significant construction professionals (including architects and contractors); their importance to the local community (as physical landmarks); their architectural and technical merit (demonstrating a range of architectural styles and advancements in building design); their positive townscape values; their group value derived

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Document Set ID: 8199942 Version: 1, Version Date: 18/12/2019 from a shared usage and proximity; and as uncommon examples of their type retaining a high degree of integrity.

Heritage Taranaki considers that the total and/or partial demolition of any of these four buildings will undermine not only the heritage values of the building in question, but also those of the group as a whole. Each of the four buildings form an integral part of the industrial narrative of the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works and the growth in economic importance of the Taranaki dairy industry. The group clearly illustrates the development of industrial architecture during the first half of the twentieth century, with the buildings showcasing both changing architectural design trends and advancements in engineering and construction practices.

Heritage Taranaki has previously indicated to the NPDC that they consider the four aforementioned buildings to be of substantial heritage significance and should be afforded protection under New Plymouth’s District Plan. Heritage Taranaki believes all four buildings meet the threshold for listing under NPDC’s criteria for determining the significance of heritage buildings and items, and as part of their Proposed District Plan submission, Heritage Taranaki included detailed draft assessment reports (utilising the NPDC’s criteria) for each building; these draft reports have been attached to this submission and clearly detail the heritage significance of each building.

Regarding the Nixon Store/Butter Store specifically, Heritage Taranaki strongly opposes the complete demolition of this building for reasons concerning both its considerable individual and group heritage significance (see attached draft heritage assessment report for details), along with a lack of information surrounding alternative options for retaining key components of the building (such as the southern façade and side walls, or the southern façade only).

Given the identified structural issues with the Nixon Store/Butter Store which may preclude the retention of the entire building, Heritage Taranaki is open to considering the retention of certain key elements such as the southern façade and side walls, or the southern façade only. However, it being unclear from the application and additional documentation to what extent the applicants have investigated such alternative options, Heritage Taranaki must, at present, strongly oppose demolition of the building as outlined in the resource consent application.

Regarding the removal of canopy elements along the southern façades of the Engine Room and Fluker- Rundle Store/Produce Store, Heritage Taranaki strongly opposes the complete demolition of these elements as they are seen to contribute to the historic context, and architectural and aesthetic values of the buildings. Heritage Taranaki acknowledges that the applicants intend to utilise this space to facilitate onsite vehicle movement and that space between the southern building frontages and railway land is limited. Heritage Taranaki is thus, in principle, open to supporting a reduction in the depth of these canopy elements to enable both efficient vehicle movements and to ensure that the historic and architectural integrity of the buildings is maintained.

Regarding the partial demolition of the Fluker-Rundle Store/Produce Store, Heritage Taranaki strongly opposes this owing to the technical significance of the flat slab and mushroom-top column construction methods employed in the buildings construction, along with the significant negative impact that the removal of the main structure will have on the overall historic integrity of the building.

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Decision Sought

The decision sought by Heritage Taranaki is for resource consent to be granted only if the following conditions relating to the protection and restoration of built heritage are attached. These conditions, as they relate to individual buildings, include:

Engine Room:

Retention of the building in its entirety, including, but not limited to, all main structural elements such as brick walls, roof structure, and southern canopy; exterior restored and finished with heritage paint colour scheme.

Nixon Store/Butter Store:

Retention of the building in its entirety, with a particular focus on preserving the southern façade, including all key components such as original window joinery and canopy. However, this not being possible, at a minimum, retention of the southern façade, including all key components such as the original window joinery and canopy; exterior restored and finished with heritage paint colour scheme.

Fluker-Rundle Store/Produce Store:

Retention of the building in its entirety, with a particular focus on preserving the southern façade, including all key components such as original window joinery and canopy, along with those portions of the structure utilising mushroom column construction methods. However, this not being possible (after investigating all possible options for maintaining the building in its entirety), at a minimum, retention of the southern façade, including all key components such as original window joinery and canopy; exterior restored and finished with heritage paint colour scheme.

Parsons Store:

Retention of the building in its entirety including principal structure and all key exterior architectural elements contributing to the buildings Modernist design; exterior restored and finished with heritage paint colour scheme.

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Document Set ID: 8199942 Version: 1, Version Date: 18/12/2019 Site ID Building/Site Name Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Engine Room Address Hakirau Street, Moturoa, New Plymouth

Statement of Significance The dairy industry has been an important component of the Taranaki economy for over 130 years. This building is significant as one of the earliest surviving structures associated with the dairy industry in New Plymouth and is part of an important group of buildings associated with the development of the Taranaki dairy industry under the co-operative model over the last century. It is also rare example of a large, early twentieth century industrial building in New Plymouth, and an uncommon example of a substantial brick building in New Plymouth. The building is in a highly visible location and contributes positively to the historic character of the area.

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Legal Information and Heritage Status Legal Description Lot 1 DP 17360 District Plan Item/ Map No. Heritage New Zealand List Not listed

Construction Information Date of Construction 1904 Principal Materials Masonry, corrugated steel Construction Professionals Walter Panton (architect), Messrs Pikett and Spencer (builders)

History Early Site History

The present site of the Moturoa cool store buildings has a rich history stretching back to pre-European times. Prior to the establishment of the first Taranaki Freezing Company Works’ on this site in 1895, the area was originally occupied by Otaka/Ngamotu pa; comprised of the small fishing villages of Otaka and Mataipu.1

A significant event associated with the site is the besieging of the pa by Waikato tribes in February 1832. At this time, the pa was occupied by both resident and refugee Te Atiawa tribe members, and also a group of eight European traders and whalers under the leadership of John Love and Richard (Dicky) Barrett.2

Prior to the arrival of the Waikato war party, defences were hastily erected around the site, and three small old cannons (now held by Puke Ariki) were set up.3 On the fourth day of the siege a surrender was proposed, but not accepted.4 At one stage the schooner Currency Lass appeared in the roadstead, although on the advice of Love, who swam out to the vessel, it soon left.5 Whilst the Europeans had become fatigued and anxious about their fate, a good trade was still carried-out with both Te Atiawa and the Waikato invaders; who possessed between three and four thousand muskets.6

After nearly three weeks, throughout which there had been a number of small skirmishes in which lives were lost on both sides, the invaders launched their final assault. Again, lives were lost on both

1 Smith, Stephenson Percy. (1910). History and Traditions of the Maoris of the West Coast North Island of New Zealand Prior to 1840. Polynesian Society, New Plymouth 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid. 5 Ibid. 6 Ibid.

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sides, but the Waikato tribes suffered the greatest, losing a large number of their party, including several chiefs.7 Following this unsuccessful assault, the invaders retreated, and began their long journey back to the Waikato.8

A further historical site located nearby is the landing spot of the William Bryan, the first Plymouth Company settler ship to arrive at New Plymouth.9 Near this site hastily erected and somewhat primitive whare’s were home to new settlers for their first months in the infant settlement.10 The arrival of the Plymouth Company Settlers is commemorated at nearby Otaka/Pioneer Park, where the Pioneer Memorial was erected in 1911.11 Also located at the park is the grave of paramount chief Poharama Te Whiti, who died in 1875.12

Freezing Works History

In 1895, the Taranaki Freezing Company purchased a plot of land at Moturoa, being Part Section 812 (Prison Reserve), Grey District.13 This was to be the site of the Company’s first freezing works, which were housed in a wooden building completed the following year.14 In 1901, the Taranaki Freezing Company became the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company Ltd, a co-operative engaged in the sorting, grading, and refrigeration of butter and cheese collected from dairy factories across North Taranaki.15 However, disaster soon struck the young co-operative, and on the morning of 10 May 1904, a large fire, originating in the factory's boiler room, completely destroyed the original wooden building.16 The fire was a huge blow for the burgeoning Taranaki dairy industry, although thankfully it occurred in the off-season, when milk production was low, and the factory was relatively empty; however, 4000 boxes of butter in the storeroom were still lost to the flames.17

Following the fire, it was suggested that the factory shouldn't be rebuilt at Moturoa - or indeed in Taranaki at all. Wellington based Mr David J. Nathan, wrote to the many Taranaki dairy factories, who were the owners of the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works, suggesting that there would be great benefits for the entire New Zealand dairy industry if operations were centralised in Wellington.18 He suggested they should buy or lease premises on Waterloo Quay for the purpose.19 However, both the Taranaki Herald and Taranaki Daily News, along with many Taranaki residents, were fervently against this proposal, and there was ample discussion as to why it should not be proceeded with.20 The proposal was thankfully not supported, and it was soon resolved to re-erect the factory in brick on the Moturoa site. By 1 June 1904, it was reported that plans were being prepared for the new factory by well-known dairy factory/freezing works architect Mr Walter Panton, of Timaru, and that tenders would be called for as soon as possible.21 The successful tender of Messrs Pikett and Spencer for the sum of £6907 was accepted on the 18th of June.22

7 Ibid. 8 Ibid. 9 Tullett, James Stuart. (1981). The Industrious Heart: A History of New Plymouth. New Plymouth City Council, New Plymouth 10 Ibid 11 Taranaki Herald, 27 March 1911, page 7 12 Taranaki Herald, 20 October 1875, page 2 13 SO716, Land Information New Zealand 14 Taranaki Herald, 2 July 1896, page 2 15 Taranaki Herald, 2 September 1901, page 2 16 Taranaki Herald, 10 May 1904, page 4 17 Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1904, page 2 18 Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1904, page 2 19 Ibid. 20 Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1904, page 2; Taranaki Herald, 2 June 1904, page 4; Taranaki Herald, 15 June 1904, page 3 21 Taranaki Herald, 1 June 1904, page 3 22 Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1904, page 2

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Proud workmen pose for a photo outside the almost complete building, Auckland Weekly News, 20 October 1904, page 4, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19041020- 4-2

The new structure was slightly bigger than the old building, and had a large 60ft chimney on the eastern side (since demolished).23 Construction continued day and night, with the first portion of the building complete by mid-September, and the entire building finished by the 28th of October - a remarkable achievement.24 More than 250,000 bricks were used in the building's construction, and these were produced locally at the Waitara and Onaero kilns.25 Joinery was supplied by the Sash and Door Company; plumbing was by the Griffiths Company; Kauri was obtained from the Kauri Timber Company; Red Pine (Rimu) from Taranaki, and Totara from Ashurst.26 An interesting feature of the building was the insulation of the cool-rooms; pumice in a double-Kauri lining.27

The ensuing decades saw a considerable increase in the amount of produce handled by the co- operative and was accompanied by a program of demolition and construction to ensure there was always adequate space available in which to store produce. Accordingly, in 1951, the freezing chambers of the 1904 building were demolished, and in their place the present three-storied structure erected.28 The present building housed the works’ boiler room, engine house, and ice room. It is the only surviving portion of the 1904 freezing works, and the oldest building in a group of structures associated with the Taranaki dairy industry for more than a century.

In 1981, the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works Cool Stores, by now a large complex of buildings constructed between 1904 and the 1970s, was sold to the New Zealand Dairy Board.29 This sale

23 Taranaki Herald, 7 November 1904, page 3 24 Ibid. 25 Ibid. 26 Ibid. 27 Ibid. 28 Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company. (1951). Golden Jubilee, 1901-1951. Avery Press, New Plymouth 29 Richards, George. (1995). And Then There Was One: A history of the Taranaki dairy industry. Kiwi Co- operative Dairies, Hawera

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included both a monetary transaction, and the allocation of shares to Taranaki dairy companies using the stores.30 This ownership change also saw a change in name to the Taranaki Co-operative Cool Store. By 1994, the smaller dairy companies in Taranaki had merged to form the large Kiwi Dairy Company, and the cool store share arrangement was now considered an anomaly in New Zealand.31 It was thus decided to sell the shares issued in 1981 back to the Dairy Board, and this was finalised on June 16th of that year.32

In 2001, an Act of Parliament was passed allowing the merger of New Zealand’s two largest co- operatives; the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd, and Kiwi Co-operative Dairies Ltd.33 The Act also saw the new company, Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited (Fonterra), take ownership of all the shares in the New Zealand Dairy Board, resulting in Fonterra becoming the owner of the Taranaki Co-operative Cool Store.34 Fonterra retained ownership until June 2018, when the entire property was purchased by a New Plymouth consortium who plan to redevelop the site at the expiration of the current leases.

Reference Sources See footnotes.

Description The Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works Engine Room is located in the western New Plymouth suburb of Moturoa, on a former sea-cliff above Ngamotu Beach, and close to Port Taranaki. The building is part of a group of structures associated with the development of the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works over a period of almost one hundred years. The Engine Room provides an interesting contrast to other much larger structures in the group, including the neighbouring 1946-47 and 1951-52 three- storey stores to the immediate west, and the four-storey 1936 Butter Store, and 1957-59 modernist style Parsons Store to the east. As a group, these buildings clearly illustrate the growth of the co- operative, both in terms of volume of goods handled, and of its economic importance. This simple, rectilinear building is constructed of load-bearing masonry supporting a pitched corrugated steel roof. The double brick walls are, somewhat unusually, laid in an English Garden Wall Bond (three rows of stretchers to one row of headers). Located between the three-storey 1951-52 Produce Store, and the single-storey 1970s store, only the front and rear elevations are visible, although a small alleyway runs along the eastern wall. The frontage is unadorned, except for a distinctive round ventilator opening set in the centre of the gable. The opening is surrounded by three rowlock courses and was originally louvered; although these are now absent. The gable is finished with a stretcher course, and capped with coping of an unknown material, possibly cement. Doors are set at ground level and are largely hidden from view by the partially enclosed post and beam veranda. This wooden veranda is original, and the outline of the original, eight-light window (now boarded-over), can still be distinguished at the centre of the rusticated weatherboard clad wall. The continuation of this veranda in front of the 1946-47 and 1951-52 Thomas Bates designed buildings to the west, is also a remnant of the 1904 building, and the boarded-up openings of the original windows can be similarly seen. The rear elevation is almost identical to the front, being similarly unadorned, except for a ventilator opening, which is now filled with tongue and groove boards and fitted with a modern extraction vent. A low lean-to runs the length of the rear-elevation, part of which is possibly original.

30 Ibid. 31 Ibid. 32 Ibid. Lind, Clive A. (2013). Till the Cows Came Home: Inside the battles that built Fonterra. Steele Roberts, Wellington 34 Ibid.

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Assessment: Historical The Engine Room is historically significant as the sole  surviving portion of the 1904 Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works; reconstructed following a devastating fire that year. The building was designed by leading New Zealand freezing works architect Walter Panton. The dairy industry has been the mainstay of the Taranaki economy for over 130 years, and this building is significant as one of the earliest surviving structures associated with the dairy industry in New Plymouth. Importance to Community Taranaki’s dairy industry has, and continues to play, an  important role in the provinces’ sense of identity, with many people both directly and indirectly employed because of it. Architecture & Construction The Engine Room is a good example of a simple, gabled  industrial building from of the early 1900s period, and has technical interest through the use of locally produced bricks laid in an English Garden Wall Bond. Setting and Context This building is part of a group of landmark structures  associated with the development of the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works over a period of almost one hundred years. Associated buildings include the neighbouring 1946-47 and 1951 three-storey Produce stores to the immediate west, and the four-storey 1936 Butter Store, and 1957-59 modernist style Parsons Store further to the east. Archaeology Although the present buildings were all constructed post-  1900, the immediate area has been the site of the freezing works since 1895 and was earlier the site of Otaka/Ngamotu pa. Representativeness, rarity This building is a rare example of a relatively large, early-  and integrity twentieth century industrial building in New Plymouth, and an uncommon example of a substantial brick building in New Plymouth. Whilst the four gables housing the freezing chambers have been demolished, the remaining gable retains a high degree of integrity. Meets threshold for listing (three or more ticks, or two ticks in one criterion) 

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Site ID Building/Site Name Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works Butter Store Address Hakirau Street, Moturoa, New Plymouth

Statement of Significance Constructed in 1936-37 as a butter store for the New Plymouth Producers’ Freezing Works, this four- storey building has stood as a Moturoa landmark for more than eighty years. Designed by accomplished New Plymouth architect Thomas Herbert Bates, the Butter Store is a particularly fine example of an industrial building principally influenced by the Art-Deco/Moderne style, but also incorporating neo-Georgian and functionalist features. This building is part of an important group of buildings associated with the development of the Taranaki dairy industry under the co-operative model over the last century; it is situated in a highly visible location and contributes positively to the historic industrial character of the area.

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Legal Information and Heritage Status Legal Description Lot 1 DP 17360 District Plan Item/ Map No. Heritage New Zealand List Not listed

Construction Information Date of Construction 1936-37 Principal Materials Reinforced concrete, corrugated steel Construction Professionals Thomas Herbert Bates (architect), Jones & Sandford Ltd (contractors)

History Early Site History

Prior to the arrival of the Waikato war party, defences were hastily erected around the site, and three small old cannons (now held by Puke Ariki) were set up.37 On the fourth day of the siege a surrender was proposed, but not accepted.38 At one stage the schooner Currency Lass appeared in the roadstead, although on the advice of Love, who swam out to the vessel, it soon left.39 Whilst the Europeans had become fatigued and anxious about their fate, a good trade was still carried-out with both Te Atiawa and the Waikato invaders; who possessed between three and four thousand muskets.40

35 Smith, Stephenson Percy. History and Traditions of the Maoris of the West Coast North Island of New Zealand Prior to 1840. New Plymouth: Polynesian Society, 1910. 36 Ibid. 37 Ibid. 38 Ibid. 39 Ibid. 40 Ibid.

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but the Waikato tribes suffered the greatest, losing a large number of their party, including several chiefs.41 Following this unsuccessful assault, the invaders retreated, and began their long journey back to the Waikato.42

A further historical site located nearby is the landing spot of the William Bryan, the first Plymouth Company settler ship to arrive at New Plymouth.43 Near this site hastily erected and somewhat primitive whare’s were home to new settlers for their first months in the infant settlement.44 The arrival of the Plymouth Company Settlers is commemorated at nearby Otaka/Pioneer Park, where the Pioneer Memorial was erected in 1911.45 Also located at the park is the grave of paramount chief Poharama Te Whiti, who died in 1875.46

Freezing Works History

The Taranaki Freezing Company Limited was first established on this site in 1895. In 1901, the Taranaki Freezing Company became the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company Ltd, a co- operative engaged in the sorting, grading, and refrigeration of butter and cheese collected from dairy factories across North Taranaki.47 The first wooden buildings on this site were erected of timber in 1895, but were destroyed by fire on 10 May 1904.48 After it was decided to re-erect the works at Moturoa (there was some discussion of centralising operations in Wellington), a new building constructed of brick was complete by 28 October 1904.49 The ensuing decades saw a considerable increase in the amount of produce handled by the co-operative, and was accompanied by a program of demolition and construction to ensure there was always adequate space available in which to store produce. Aside from the Butter Store, this included construction of a considerable number of now demolished brick stores during the 1910s and 1920s; the Produce Stores in 1945-46 and 1951-52; and the Parsons Store in 1957-59. The only surviving portion of the 1904 building is the engine room to the immediate east of the Produce Stores.

By the mid-1930s, with storage space again at a premium and butter forming an increasing proportion of the product handled by the co-operative, it was decided to erect the present Butter Store.50 The Company’s architect, Thomas Herbert Bates, was instructed to prepare plans for the new store during late 1935 or early 1936.51 Thomas Bates (1873-1954) was one of New Plymouth’s foremost architects during the first half of the twentieth century, and was associated with a significant number of substantial commercial and residential buildings between 1916 and 1953. His first contract was the supervision of Everybody’s Theatre (now the Mayfair) for Auckland architects Grierson and Aimer, shortly followed by a comparable role for Wellington architect Frederick de Jersey Clere for the AMP Building (now Peggy Gordon’s). He soon established a practice in the city, where his work included large reinforced concrete commercial and industrial buildings, dairy factories, private dwellings predominantly in the English Domestic Revival style, and rarely, single-storey bungalows. His last commission was in 1952-53, being the refurbishment of the Criterion Hotel. He died in early 1954, aged 81, in a plane crash at Singapore Airport.

The successful tenderers for the construction of the building were New Plymouth firm Jones and

41 Ibid. 42 Ibid. 43 Tullett, James Stuart. The Industrious Heart: A History of New Plymouth. New Plymouth: New Plymouth City Council, 1981. 44 Ibid 45 Taranaki Herald, 27 March 1911, page 7 46 Taranaki Herald, 20 October 1875, page 2 47 Taranaki Herald, 2 September 1901, page 2 48 Taranaki Herald, 10 May 1904, page 4 49 Taranaki Herald, 7 November 1904, page 3 50 Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company. (1951). Golden Jubilee, 1901-1951. New Plymouth: Avery Press, 1951. 51 Ibid.

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Sandford; of which descendent joinery firm survives to this day.52 A permit was granted by the Borough Council to the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company on the 18 August 1936, and the building had an estimated construction cost of £31,363.53 This building was the first major construction at the Works in which cork was used as the sole insulating material.54 The additional cold storage space of the Butter Store, and heat extraction capacity of the 40,000 feet of expansion piping installed in the building, necessitated an expansion of the refrigerating plant.55 This saw the installation of 160 ton capacity, twin cylinder, two stage Brotherhood ammonia compressor, powered by a 250hp electric motor.56

The building was officially opened by the Hon. W. Lee Martin, the Minister of Agriculture, on the morning of Monday 6 December 1937.57 The opening was attended by about 150 dignitaries, and members of the dairy industry and business organisations, who had first made an inspection of the new building.58 The Minister spoke of both the history and importance of the dairy industry in Taranaki, elaborating that:

The development of the dairy industry is one of the greatest romances in the history of the Dominion. There have been other industries that have created glamour, the gold industry, for instance, but nothing has tended to stabilise the economic position of the Dominion so much as the dairy industry.59

In 1981, the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works Cool Stores, by now a large complex of buildings constructed between 1904 and the 1970s, was sold to the New Zealand Dairy Board.60 This sale included both a monetary transaction, and the allocation of shares to Taranaki dairy companies using the stores.61 This ownership change also saw a change in name to the Taranaki Co-operative Cool Store. By 1994, the smaller dairy companies in Taranaki had merged to form the large Kiwi Dairy Company, and the cool store share arrangement was now considered an anomaly in New Zealand.62 It was thus decided to sell the shares issued in 1981 back to the Dairy Board, and this was finalised on June 16th of that year.63

In 2001, an Act of Parliament was passed allowing the merger of New Zealand’s two largest co- operatives; the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd, and Kiwi Co-operative Dairies Ltd.64 The Act also saw the new company, Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited (Fonterra), take ownership of all the shares in the New Zealand Dairy Board, resulting in Fonterra becoming the owner of the Taranaki Co-operative Cool Store.65 Fonterra retained ownership until June 2018, when the entire property was purchased by a New Plymouth consortium who plan to redevelop the site at the expiration of the current leases.

Reference Sources See footnotes.

52 Ibid. 53 NPBC Building Register Book 1933-37, Puke Ariki Archives (ARC2011-204) 54 Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company. (1951). Golden Jubilee, 1901-1951. New Plymouth: Avery Press, 1951. 55 Ibid. 56 Ibid. 57 Taranaki Herald, 6 December 1937, page 9 58 Ibid. 59 Ibid. 60 Richards, George. And Then There Was One: A history of the Taranaki dairy industry. Hawera: Kiwi Co- operative Dairies, 1995. 61 Ibid. 62 Ibid. 63 Ibid. 64 Lind, Clive A. Till the Cows Came Home: Inside the battles that built Fonterra. Wellington: Steele Roberts, 2013. 65 Ibid.

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Description The Butter Store is located in the western New Plymouth suburb of Moturoa, on a former sea-cliff above Ngamotu Beach, and close to Port Taranaki. The building is part of a group of structures associated with the development of the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works over a period of almost one hundred years. To the immediate east is the 1957-59 modernist style Parsons Store, whilst further to the west is the 1904 Engine Room, and 1946-47 and 1951-52 three-storey Produce stores. As a group, these buildings clearly illustrate the growth of the co-operative, both in terms of volume of goods handled, and of its economic importance. A rectilinear structure of significant proportions, the building’s size is somewhat disguised by its slenderness. Principally constructed of in-situ reinforced concrete, the building is finished with a Dutch gable roof sheathed in mild corrugated steel; the gable ends are treated as louvred ventilators. Aside from some minor modifications, the exterior remains very much as it was when first built. The main front elevation faces roughly south-west, is stepped-down and projects slightly forward of the main structure. It is designed in a plain Art-Deco influenced style; although the fenestration pattern of three regular rows of divided fixed timber casements strongly references the neo-Georgian form. Two large simplified pilasters rise either side of the elevation and are fluted at upper floor level. A slightly recessed central panel on the parapet incorporates the words ‘BUTTER STORE’ in raised plaster lettering. A wide sloping veranda projects forward of the now enclosed loading bay. The north-western and south-eastern side elevations are almost identical. Each is rhythmically composed with eight recessed bays divided by tall structural columns and featuring a strong dentil course at top. A wide, slightly recessed panel spanning the full length of the parapet incorporates the words ‘TARANAKI PRODUCERS’ FREEZING WORKS COY. LTD.’ in raised plaster lettering. To the rear of the building is an attached stairwell and loading bay structure.

Assessment: Historical The Butter Store has considerable heritage significance  for its long association with the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works and Taranaki dairy industry, performing a key role in the grading and storage of butter prior to international export. Designed by noted New Plymouth architect Thomas Herbert Bates, the Butter Store is an important and somewhat uncommon large-scale example of his industrial work. Importance to Community Taranaki’s dairy industry has, and continues to play, an  important role in the provinces’ sense of identity, with many people both directly and indirectly employed because of it. Architecture & Construction An attractive and well-proportioned landmark building  principally influenced by the popular Art-Deco style, but also incorporating neo-Georgian and functionalist features. It has technical interest as a large multi-storey reinforced concrete industrial building. Setting and Context The Butter Store is part of a group of landmark structures  associated with the development of the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works over a period of almost one hundred years. Associated buildings include the 1957-59 modernist style Parsons Store to the immediate east, and

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the 1904 Engine Room and 1946-47 and 1951 three- storey Produce stores further west. Archaeology Although the present buildings were all constructed post-  1900, the immediate area has been the site of the freezing works since 1895 and was earlier the site of Otaka/Ngamotu pa. Representativeness, rarity A rare example in New Plymouth District of both a four-  and integrity storey building and of a large industrial building from the 1930s. Aside from some minor modifications, the exterior of this building remains very much as it was when first constructed. Meets threshold for listing (three or more ticks, or two ticks in one criterion) 

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Site ID Building/Site Name Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Produce Store Address Hakirau Street, Moturoa, New Plymouth

Statement of Significance The Produce Store was constructed for the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company in two stages during 1945-46 and 1951-53. Designed by accomplished New Plymouth architect Thomas Herbert Bates, the Produce Store is a landmark building incorporating elements from a range of architectural styles. It has technical interest as a large multi-storey reinforced concrete industrial building utilising flat slab construction supported by mushroom columns. This building is part of an important group of buildings associated with the development of the Taranaki dairy industry under the co-operative model over the last century, is well-maintained, situated in a highly visible location, and contributes positively to the historic industrial character of the area.

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Legal Information and Heritage Status Legal Description Lot 1 DP 17360 District Plan Item/ Map No. Heritage New Zealand List Not listed

Construction Information Date of Construction 1945-46/1951-53 Principal Materials Reinforced concrete, corrugated steel Construction Professionals Thomas Herbert Bates (architect), W. Williamson Construction Company (builders)

History Early Site History

Prior to the arrival of the Waikato war party, defences were hastily erected around the site, and three small old cannons (now held by Puke Ariki) were set up.68 On the fourth day of the siege a surrender was proposed, but not accepted.69 At one stage the schooner Currency Lass appeared in the roadstead, although on the advice of Love, who swam out to the vessel, it soon left.70 Whilst the Europeans had become fatigued and anxious about their fate, a good trade was still carried-out with both Te Atiawa and the Waikato invaders; who possessed between three and four thousand muskets.71

After nearly three weeks, throughout which there had been a number of small skirmishes in which

66 Smith, Stephenson Percy. (1910). History and Traditions of the Maoris of the West Coast North Island of New Zealand Prior to 1840. Polynesian Society, New Plymouth 67 Ibid. 68 Ibid. 69 Ibid. 70 Ibid. 71 Ibid.

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lives were lost on both sides, the invaders launched their final assault. Again, lives were lost on both sides, but the Waikato tribes suffered the greatest, losing a large number of their party, including several chiefs.72 Following this unsuccessful assault, the invaders retreated, and began their long journey back to the Waikato.73

A further historical site located nearby is the landing spot of the William Bryan, the first Plymouth Company settler ship to arrive at New Plymouth.74 Near this site hastily erected and somewhat primitive whare’s were home to new settlers for their first months in the infant settlement.75 The arrival of the Plymouth Company Settlers is commemorated at nearby Otaka/Pioneer Park, where the Pioneer Memorial was erected in 1911.76 Also located at the park is the grave of paramount chief Poharama Te Whiti, who died in 1875.77

Freezing Works History The Taranaki Freezing Company Limited was first established on this site in 1895. In 1901, the Taranaki Freezing Company became the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company Ltd, a co- operative engaged in the sorting, grading, and refrigeration of butter and cheese collected from dairy factories across North Taranaki.78 The first wooden buildings on this site were erected of timber in 1895, but were destroyed by fire on 10 May 1904.79 After it was decided to re-erect the works at Moturoa (there was some discussion of centralising operations in Wellington), a new building constructed of brick was complete by 28 October 1904.80 The ensuing decades saw a considerable increase in the amount of produce handled by the co-operative, and was accompanied by a program of demolition and construction to ensure there was always adequate space available in which to store produce. This included construction of this included construction of a considerable number of now demolished brick stores during the 1910s and 1920s; the Butter Store in 1936-37; the present building in 1945-46 and 1951-53; and the Parsons Store in 1957-59. The only surviving portion of the 1904 building is the engine room to the immediate east of the Produce Stores.

Construction of the present building is the result of several factors including the need to replace aging infrastructure, a rapidly expanding local dairy industry fuelled by the commodity boom of the late- 1930s to mid-1950s, and the expectation that extra storage space would be required to cope with a greater volume of products from South Taranaki.81 The first part of the building erected was the western portion, which was constructed as a replacement for a 1910s triple-gabled brick store that had reached the end of its useful life.82 The building was designed by the Company’s architect, Thomas Herbert Bates, who had earlier designed the landmark Butter Store. Thomas Bates (1873- 1954) was one of New Plymouth’s foremost architects during the first half of the twentieth century and was associated with a significant number of substantial commercial and residential buildings between 1916 and 1953. His first contract was the supervision of Everybody’s Theatre (now the Mayfair) for Auckland architects Grierson and Aimer, shortly followed by a comparable role for Wellington architect Frederick de Jersey Clere for the AMP Building (now Peggy Gordon’s). He soon established a practice in the city, where his work included large reinforced concrete commercial and industrial buildings, dairy factories, private dwellings predominantly in the English Domestic Revival style, and rarely, single-storey bungalows. His last commission was in 1952-53, being the refurbishment of the

72 Ibid. 73 Ibid. 74 Tullett, James Stuart. (1981). The Industrious Heart: A History of New Plymouth. New Plymouth City Council, New Plymouth 75 Ibid. 76 Taranaki Herald, 27 March 1911, page 7 77 Taranaki Herald, 20 October 1875, page 2 78 Taranaki Herald, 2 September 1901, page 2 79 Taranaki Herald, 10 May 1904, page 4 80 Taranaki Herald, 7 November 1904, page 3 81 Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company. (1951). Golden Jubilee, 1901-1951. New Plymouth: Avery Press 82 Ibid.

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Criterion Hotel. He died in early 1954, aged 81, in a plane crash at Singapore Airport.

The successful tenderers for the construction of the first (western) building was the Christchurch based W. Williamson Construction Company, at a contract price of £48,689.83 A permit for the ‘rebuilding of stores’ was granted by the Borough Council to the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company on the 7th of February 1945.84 The building was designed with six large storage chambers with room for 93,000 boxes of butter or 31,000 crates of cheese.85 The construction method utilised flat slabs supported by mushroom top columns and was touted as being the latest in earthquake resistant design.86 The use of mushroom columns also eliminated the need for horizontal beams, allowing for greater spans between columns and providing better airflow and enhanced cooling efficiency.87

In 1950 it was decided to replace the now inefficient 1904 freezing chambers and erect a new store between the first portion of the Produce Store and the Engine Room. This new building would be almost identical in design, although slightly larger than 1944-46 portion; it was designed to store up to 100,000 boxes of butter or 33,000 crates of cheese.88 A permit was granted to the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company on the 11th September 1951 for the construction of the cool store additions; W. Williamson Construction Company were once again the contractors, and the estimated construction cost was £105,000.89 The significant cost of the building required the firm to increase its capital from £100,000 to £200,000.90 The first lorry load of butter was delivered to the new store from the Bell Block Co-operative Dairy Factory on December 23rd 1953; the same day Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Auckland to the start their royal tour of New Zealand.91 When the Queen and Duke visited New Plymouth during early January 1953 the new ‘Rundle Store’, as it was then named, was used to store food for the royal visit.92

In 1981, the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works Cool Stores, by now a large complex of buildings constructed between 1904 and the 1970s, was sold to the New Zealand Dairy Board.93 This sale included both a monetary transaction, and the allocation of shares to Taranaki dairy companies using the stores.94 This ownership change also saw a change in name to the Taranaki Co-operative Cool Store. By 1994, the smaller dairy companies in Taranaki had merged to form the large Kiwi Dairy Company, and the cool store share arrangement was now considered an anomaly in New Zealand.95 It was thus decided to sell the shares issued in 1981 back to the Dairy Board, and this was finalised on June 16th of that year.96

In 2001, an Act of Parliament was passed allowing the merger of New Zealand’s two largest co- operatives; the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd, and Kiwi Co-operative Dairies Ltd.97

83 Taranaki Herald, 25 August 1944, page 2 84 NPBC Building Register Book 1938-46, Puke Ariki Archives (ARC2011-204) 85 Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company. (1951). Golden Jubilee, 1901-1951. New Plymouth: Avery Press 86 Taranaki Herald, 25 August 1944, page 2 87 Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company. (1951). Golden Jubilee, 1901-1951. New Plymouth: Avery Press 88 Ibid. 89 NPBC Building Register Book 1950-54, Puke Ariki Archives (ARC2011-204) 90 Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company. (1951). Golden Jubilee, 1901-1951. New Plymouth: Avery Press 91 Taranaki Herald, 14 July 1959, page 10 92 Ibid. 93 Richards, George. (1995). And Then There Was One: A history of the Taranaki dairy industry. Kiwi Co- operative Dairies, Hawera 94 Ibid. 95 Ibid. 96 Ibid. 97 Lind, Clive A. (2013). Till the Cows Came Home: Inside the battles that built Fonterra. Steele Roberts, Wellington

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The Act also saw the new company, Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited (Fonterra), take ownership of all the shares in the New Zealand Dairy Board, resulting in Fonterra becoming the owner of the Taranaki Co-operative Cool Store.98 Fonterra retained ownership until June 2018, when the entire property was purchased by a New Plymouth consortium who plan to redevelop the site at the expiration of the current leases.

Reference Sources See footnotes.

Description The Produce Store is located in the western New Plymouth suburb of Moturoa, on a former sea-cliff above Ngamotu Beach, and close to Port Taranaki. The building is part of a group of structures associated with the development of the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works over a period of almost one hundred years. Significant buildings in this group include the 1936-37 Thomas Bates designed Butter Store, the 1904 Engine Room, and 1957-59 modernist style Parsons Store. A structure of significant proportions, the building is comprised of two contiguous near identical sections constructed in 1945-46 (western portion) and 1951-53 (eastern portion). Principally constructed of in- situ reinforced concrete, the building utilises flat slab construction supported by mushroom top columns. The roof is mono-pitch but also incorporates five moderately pitched gables of differing sizes extending to the rear of the structure. Aside from some minor modifications, the exterior remains very much as it was when first built. The building is somewhat of an amalgam of architectural styles from the early decades of the twentieth century and is strongly influenced by Bates’ earlier Butter Store. Whilst more detailed than would generally be expected of an industrial storage building, the designs utilised are both few and simple; all expressed on a grand scale rarely seen in provincial New Zealand. The simple fluting on the pilasters are a nod to the art deco/Moderne style, the divided fixed timber casements are reminiscent of neo- Georgian fenestration patterns, the exposed structural beams reference industrial functionalist form, whilst dentil coursing is perhaps a remnant of stripped classicism. The main front elevation faces roughly south-west towards the New Plymouth-Marton Railway and Breakwater Road. At ground floor level a wide enclosed loading bay with sloping corrugated steel-clad roof projects forward of the main structure. Much of this veranda pre-dates the present buildings, with the portion in front of the eastern building erected in 1904 as part of the original works and the portion in front of the western building constructed during the early-1910s as part of a three-bay gabled addition. The frontage of the loading bay is clad in rusticated weatherboards, with the now boarded- over window openings (once fitted with divided casements), still clearly visible. The façade of each portion is rhythmically composed with four recessed bays divided by tall structural columns, central horizontal beam, with a strong dentil course at top. Slender simplified pilasters rise either side of the elevation and incorporate a simple fluted design at upper floor level; the central designs remaining discrete. A central first-floor bay projects forward of the main structure on both portions, with wide simplified pilasters featuring simple fluted designs at upper floor level, rising either side of the bays. Each bay features also incorporates a regular row of twelve-light divided timber casements, with a corresponding trio of smaller four-light fixed timber casements below. The principal difference between the elevations is the lettering on the western portion. A wide, slightly recessed panel spanning the full length of the western parapet incorporates the words ‘TARANAKI PRODUCERS’ FREEZING WORKS COY. LTD.’ in raised plaster lettering; whilst the words ‘PRODUCE STORE’ is incorporated within another recessed panel on the western projecting bay.

98 Ibid.

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Assessment: Historical The Produce Store has considerable heritage significance  for its long association with the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works and Taranaki dairy industry, performing a key role in the storage of butter, cheese and other dairy products prior to international export. Designed by noted New Plymouth architect Thomas Herbert Bates, the Produce Store was likely his largest commission. Importance to Community Taranaki’s dairy industry has, and continues to play, an  important role in the provinces’ sense of identity, with many people both directly and indirectly employed because of it. Architecture & Construction An attractive landmark building incorporating elements  from a range of architectural styles. The Produce Store has technical interest as a large multi-storey reinforced concrete industrial building utilising flat slab construction supported by mushroom columns. Setting and Context The Produce Store is part of a group of landmark  structures associated with the development of the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works over a period of almost one hundred years. Associated buildings include the 1904 Engine Room, 1936-37 Butter Store and 1957- 59 modernist style Parsons Store.

Archaeology Although the present buildings were all constructed post-  1900, the immediate area has been the site of the freezing works since 1895 and was earlier the site of Otaka/Ngamotu pa. Representativeness, rarity The exterior of this building has been little altered and  and integrity remains very much as it was when first constructed. Meets threshold for listing (three or more ticks, or two ticks in one criterion) 

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Site ID Building/Site Name Parsons Cool Store Address Hakirau Street, Moturoa, New Plymouth

Statement of Significance The Parsons Store was constructed in 1957-59 following the decision to merge the cool store operations of both the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing works (New Plymouth), and those of the West Coast Refrigerating Company (Patea), at Moturoa. Designed by noted Wellington architects King & Dawson, the Parson’s Store is a significant example of the firm’s industrial work, an outstanding example of mid-century Modernist architecture in New Plymouth, and a nationally significant example of a large mid-century Modernist industrial building. The incorporation of strong geometric elements in alignment with Modernist principles sets this building apart from other industrial storage buildings constructed at the time. This building is part of an important group of buildings associated with the development of the Taranaki dairy industry under the co-operative model over the last century, is well-maintained, situated in a highly visible location, and contributes positively to the historic industrial character of the area.

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Legal Information and Heritage Status Legal Description Lot 1 DP 17360 District Plan Item/ Map No. Heritage New Zealand List Not listed

Construction Information Date of Construction 1957-59 Principal Materials Reinforced concrete, corrugated steel Construction Professionals King and Dawson (architects), Roebuck Construction (contractors)

History Early Site History

Prior to the arrival of the Waikato war party, defences were hastily erected around the site, and three small old cannons (now held by Puke Ariki) were set up.101 On the fourth day of the siege a surrender was proposed, but not accepted.102 At one stage the schooner Currency Lass appeared in the roadstead, although on the advice of Love, who swam out to the vessel, it soon left.103 Whilst the Europeans had become fatigued and anxious about their fate, a good trade was still carried-out with both Te Atiawa and the Waikato invaders; who possessed between three and four thousand muskets.104

99 Smith, Stephenson Percy. (1910). History and Traditions of the Maoris of the West Coast North Island of New Zealand Prior to 1840. Polynesian Society, New Plymouth 100 Ibid. 101 Ibid. 102 Ibid. 103 Ibid. 104 Ibid.

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sides, but the Waikato tribes suffered the greatest, losing a large number of their party, including several chiefs.105 Following this unsuccessful assault, the invaders retreated, and began their long journey back to the Waikato.106

A further historical site located nearby is the landing spot of the William Bryan, the first Plymouth Company settler ship to arrive at New Plymouth.107 Near this site hastily erected and somewhat primitive whare’s were home to new settlers for their first months in the infant settlement.108 The arrival of the Plymouth Company Settlers is commemorated at nearby Otaka/Pioneer Park, where the Pioneer Memorial was erected in 1911.109 Also located at the park is the grave of paramount chief Poharama Te Whiti, who died in 1875.110

Freezing Works History

The Taranaki Freezing Company Limited was first established on this site in 1895. In 1901, the Taranaki Freezing Company became the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company Ltd, a co- operative engaged in the sorting, grading, and refrigeration of butter and cheese collected from dairy factories across North Taranaki.111 The first wooden buildings on this site were erected of timber in 1895, but were destroyed by fire on 10 May 1904.112 After it was decided to re-erect the works at Moturoa (there was some discussion of centralising operations in Wellington), a new building constructed of brick was complete by 28 October 1904.113 The ensuing decades saw a considerable increase in the amount of produce handled by the co-operative, and was accompanied by a program of demolition and construction to ensure there was always adequate space available in which to store produce. This included construction of a considerable number of now demolished brick stores during the 1910s and 1920s; the neighbouring Butter Store in 1936-37; and the Produce Stores in 1945-46 and 1951-52.

Aside from the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing works in New Plymouth, the other co-operative freezing works in Taranaki were those of the West Coast Refrigerating Company, established at Patea in 1901.114 A strong rivalry existed between the Patea and New Plymouth co-operatives, and was reflective of an intense division between north and south Taranaki that had existed since colonial times. The Producers’ Freezing Works had been shipping butter and cheese direct from New Plymouth to England since 1917, however, size limitations at the Patea river port precluded the West Coast Refrigerating Company from making direct shipments of butter and cheese to international markets.115 The situation at Patea necessitated the use of smaller coastal ships to take produce first to Wellington, where it would then be transferred to larger ships for international transit.116

By the mid-late 1950s this arrangement was threatening the viability of the Patea works, and a decision was made to put aside long-standing intra-provincial rivalries, and to combine the cool store operations of both co-operatives at New Plymouth.117 The implications of the merger were particularly serious, as it would see South Taranaki lose both its port and cool stores; however, both organisations were of the opinion that it was in the best long-term interests of the Taranaki dairy

105 Ibid. 106 Ibid. 107 Tullett, James Stuart. (1981). The Industrious Heart: A History of New Plymouth. New Plymouth City Council, New Plymouth 108 Ibid 109 Taranaki Herald, 27 March 1911, page 7 110 Taranaki Herald, 20 October 1875, page 2 111 Taranaki Herald, 2 September 1901, page 2 112 Taranaki Herald, 10 May 1904, page 4 113 Taranaki Herald, 7 November 1904, page 3 114 Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1901, page 2 115 New Zealand Dairy Exporter, 10 August 1959, page 33 116 Ibid. 117 Ibid.

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industry.118 As part of this process, the West Coast Refrigerating Company became a full shareholder in the Taranaki Producer’s works, with a view that at some point in the future a full merger between the two co-operatives would occur.119

The merging of operations would require considerable additional cold storage space at New Plymouth and noted architects King and Dawson were soon engaged to design a new store. Joseph Dawson first established his architecture practice at Wellington in 1906 and appointed his long-term employee Jack King as a partner in 1929.120 The firm continued under the name Dawson and King until 1946, when the practice became King & Keith Cook in Association with J M Dawson.121 Joseph Dawson’s son, Eric, became a partner in 1948 and the practice became King, Cook and Dawson, and finally King and Dawson in the 1950s; a name which survives to this day.122 King and Dawson (and the earlier King, Cook and Dawson), were involved in a number of projects in the Modernist style during the 1950s and 1960s. These were largely centred in the Wellington region and included the Lower Hutt Council Administration Building and Town Hall completed in 1957; the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul from 1959; and Oriental Bay’s Freyberg Pool completed in 1963.

Parsons Store under construction, 22 August 1958. Detail from Whites Aviation aerial photograph, Whites Aviation Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, WA-47172-F.

Foundation work for the new cool stores was commenced in April 1957, and first required draining the lagoon located on the site.123 Water from the lagoon was used for cooling purposes and was refilled once construction was complete.124 A permit for construction of the new store wasn’t granted by the New Plymouth Borough Council until several months later on 24 October 1957.125 The contractors for the building were the local firm Roebuck Construction, who completed the almost £300,000 project within the contract period of just over two years.126 The new building was officially opened by the chairman of the Dairy Board, Mr A. Linton, on 14 July 1959, and named after Frank

118 Ibid. 119 Ibid. 120 Mew, Geoff & Adrian Humphris. (2014). Raupo to Deco: Wellington Styles and Architects 1840 – 1940. Steel Roberts Aotearoa, Wellington 121 Ibid. 122 Ibid. 123 Taranaki Herald, 14 July 1959, page 11 124 Ibid. 125 Ibid. 126 Ibid.

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Parsons, chairman of the West Coast Refrigerating Company.127 Parsons had dedicated much of his life to furthering the Taranaki dairy industry and had worked tirelessly to ensure the cool store merger eventuated.128

In 1981, the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works Cool Stores, by now a large complex of buildings constructed between 1904 and the 1970s, was sold to the New Zealand Dairy Board.129 This sale included both a monetary transaction, and the allocation of shares to Taranaki dairy companies using the stores.130 This ownership change also saw a change in name to the Taranaki Co-operative Cool Store. By 1994, the smaller dairy companies in Taranaki had merged to form the large Kiwi Dairy Company, and the cool store share arrangement was now considered an anomaly in New Zealand.131 It was thus decided to sell the shares issued in 1981 back to the Dairy Board, and this was finalised on June 16th of that year.132

In 2001, an Act of Parliament was passed allowing the merger of New Zealand’s two largest co- operatives; the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd, and Kiwi Co-operative Dairies Ltd.133 The Act also saw the new company, Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited (Fonterra), take ownership of all the shares in the New Zealand Dairy Board, resulting in Fonterra becoming the owner of the Taranaki Co-operative Cool Store.134 Fonterra retained ownership until June 2018, when the entire property was purchased by a New Plymouth consortium who plan to redevelop the site at the expiration of the current leases.

Reference Sources See footnotes.

Description The Parsons Store is located in the western New Plymouth suburb of Moturoa, on a former sea-cliff above Ngamotu Beach, and close to Port Taranaki. The building is part of a group of structures associated with the development of the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works over a period of almost one hundred years. Significant buildings in this group include the 1936-37 Thomas Bates designed Butter Store, the 1904 Engine Room, and 1946-47 and 1951-52 three-storey Produce stores. The Parsons Store is constructed over a lagoon, with the reinforced concrete foundations extending deep below the water line. A rectilinear structure of significant proportions, the Parsons Store is principally built from in-situ reinforced concrete. The building incorporates a number of features associated with the Modernist style popular during the 1950s and 1960s and is characterised by an overall simplicity of design and lack of elaborate decoration. There is an honest expression of key structural elements, and bold geometric shapes feature strongly; it is a radical departure from the design of the Produce Store, completed just three years earlier. The roof design is somewhat unusual, being principally mono-pitch sloping from west to east, but with the northern and southern sides sloping upwards; it was designed specifically to house extensive elevator mechanisms. The main front elevation faces roughly south towards the New Plymouth-Marton Railway and Breakwater Road. An open loading bay intersected by structural columns stretches across much of the ground floor, with a wide sloping veranda roof extending forward of the main structure. A projecting framed central panel highlights the buildings only substantive decoration; three regular rows of five

127 Ibid, page 10 128 Ibid. 129 Richards, George. (1995). And Then There Was One: A history of the Taranaki dairy industry. Kiwi Co- operative Dairies, Hawera 130 Ibid. 131 Ibid. 132 Ibid. 133 Lind, Clive A. (2013). Till the Cows Came Home: Inside the battles that built Fonterra. Steele Roberts, Wellington 134 Ibid.

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small rectangular glazed windows and two rows of four louvered vents, linked by a geometric grid of isogonal octagons in relief. A tall lift shaft and overrun rises from the eastern corner, whilst the sloping gable end and eastern lift housing are sheathed in mild corrugated steel. The western side elevation of the lift shaft incorporates a regular row of four small square windows. The main wall of this elevation incorporates four pairs of small square fixed windows and a row of louvred vents in the roof space. The eastern elevation is clad in mild corrugated steel, with the external produce elevator housing beginning at first floor level and being supported by heavy steel brackets.

Assessment: Historical The Parson’s Store has considerable heritage  significance for its long association with the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works and Taranaki dairy industry, performing a key role in the storage of butter and other dairy products prior to international export. Construction of the Parson’s Store was a direct result of the decision to merge north and south Taranaki cool storage operations at New Plymouth; a decision that would have significant and long reaching implications for the New Zealand dairy industry. Designed by noted Wellington architects King & Dawson, the Parson’s Store is a significant example of the firm’s industrial work. Importance to Community Taranaki’s dairy industry has, and continues to play, an  important role in the provinces’ sense of identity, with many people both directly and indirectly employed because of it. Architecture & Construction The Parsons Store is an outstanding example of mid-  century Modernist architecture in New Plymouth, and a nationally significant example of a large mid-century Modernist industrial building. The incorporation of strong geometric elements in alignment with Modernist principles sets this building apart from other industrial storage buildings constructed at the time. Setting and Context The Parson’s Store is part of a group of landmark  structures associated with the development of the Taranaki Producers’ Freezing Works over a period of almost one hundred years. Associated buildings include the 1904 Engine Room, 1936-37 Butter Store, and 1946- 47 and 1951 three-storey Produce stores further west.

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