HH-31: Te Waotu Post Office - Telegraph Office

Location and Zoning Information

Address

Waotu-Putāruru Road

Current Owner

J Scheres

Legal Description

Lot 5 DPS 84848

Zoning

General Rural Zone

Valuation Number

0541236900

Google Maps Link

Architecture

Date of Construction

1885 -1886

Materials

Pit sawn kauri and totara.

Architecture/Engineer/Builder

Unknown

Condition

Has had many alterations and additions done to the building over the years. (Public consultation).  Alterations need to be researched and documented when various changes made.

Original Site Recommendation

Public consultation and confirmed by Heritage Advisor, HNZPT.

Current Use

Farm workers cottage

Statement of Significance

(1 Historical) - was associated with events, persons or ideas of importance in South Waikato history, early postal history in South Waikato, early settlement of Te Waotu 1885/86. (6 Educational) - has the potential to educate public about the history of South Waikato, potential to provide information about early settlement in South Waikato as part of a heritage trail. (7 Archaeology, pre 1900 site) - site can be investigated using archaeological methods to obtain information concerning NZ and South Waikato.  (11 Context) -  part of wider context of Waotu.

District Plan Rules

Demolition - DIS.  Protection focus - 1, 6, 7 and 11. Mitigate the effects of demolition by requiring the applicant to provide Historical Building Documentation (HBD) which should include: the structure history, photographic documentation and measurements of the item prior to removal.

Alterations necessary for the primary purpose of improving structural performance, fire safety or physical access – CON -Refer to HH-R2.  Other Additions/Alterations - DIS.  Protection focus - 1. Still need to control further alterations even though it has been altered over the years as this is part of its history.

Repair of the Structure - PER. Refer to HH-R1.  Protection focus - 1.

Re-use/Change of Use - PER.  Refer to HH-R1.  Protection focus - 1 and 6.

Internal  Changes - PER. Protection focus - 1. - needs evaluation to determine is any original features are left to warrant protection - may need to be DIS.

Relocation - DIS. Protection focus - 1.

Disturbance of the site surface/earthworks - Protection focus - 7. Note: Any place that was associated with human activity prior to 1900 and is able to provide evidence relating to the history of New Zealand is an 'archaeological site' (refer to definition of 'archaeological site' in Section 2 of the Heritage New Zealand  Pouhere Taonga Act 2014). All archaeological sites are protected under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 and approval from Heritage New Zealand must be obtained prior to destroying, damaging or modifying any site.  Accordingly, where this site on which a building is located is an 'archaeological site' and the building is to be repaired, added to, relocated or demolished and this involves disturbance to the surface and/or subsurface of the site, approval from Heritage New Zealand is required.

History

Telegraph station run by Ramsay Family.  Closed in 1937.  Originally a house too?