Engineering and Industrial
1856 | Gold found in the Motueka and Takaka areas | 1857 | 136 oz of gold obtained from Salte River | 1857 | Horse Track to Takaka opened | 1857 | Road to Motueka via the Moutere is opened to horses | 1872 | Construction of the Nelson to Foxhill Railway begins | 1876 | Opening of the Nelson to Foxhill Railway | 1879 | Start of construction of Takaka Hill Coach Road | 1881 | First brass band performance at Takaka | 1881 | Telephone access to Takaka opened |
1884 | Church of St James Ngatimoti, opened by Bishop Suter | 1886 | Waitapu Bridge collapses under Takaka Tramway Engine | 1888 | Takaka Hill Road now passable by horse and cart | 1888 | Marble deposits identified in the Takaka Hill |
1893 | Spooners Range rail tunnel completed | 1894 | R Thomas drives two ponies and buggy from Nelson to Motueka in the record time of 4 hours and 40 minutes. | 1900 | Coal seam discovered at Puponga |
1910 | First shipment of apples goes to England | 1917 | Traffic suspension bridge over the Motueka River opened |
1917 | Traffic suspension bridge at Pokororo opened | 1955 | Railway link to the region closes |
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Engineering: Spooners Rail Tunnel
Ever wondered what happens to disused rail tunnels? New Zealand's longest, the 1352m Spooners rail tunnel was once a thriving facility for commercial mushroom growing, and even a base for seismic equipment installed to gather earthquake data.
Most importantly, from 1893 it served as a vital rail link to the Nelson region through the hilly Golden Downs ranges. It is now a popular tourist destination, with guided tours run by Peter and Christine King.
Work on the tunnel began in 1891. The picks and shovels of Italian and Chinese immigrants worked relentlessly for two years, as they chipped their way through the hill to create the tunnel. Trains chugged their way through until rail services to Nelson stopped in 1955.
The tunnel is maintained today by a trust formed with help from Council. The proceeds from tours are used to meet the cost of looking after it.
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The Suter Art Gallery
Te Ara: Gold Discoveries
Te Ara: History of New Zealand fruit exports