Greymouth Heritage

The first dwellings at the Grey River mouth were constructed by Ngati Wairangi Maori at Cobden. Later this site was abandoned in preference for a south bank location known as Mawhera Pa. It became an important settlement of Poutini Ngai Tahu.

A plaque close to the Cobden road bridge, at the entrance to Greymouth records that this was the place where Poutini Ngai Tahu signed the 'Deed of Purchase' for the West Coast in 1860. The transaction was carried out in the presence of James Mackay, the Government agent of the time. Today much of the town's central business district remains Maori land.

European settlement followed the discovery of coal and gold. In July 1865, Rochford's early surveyed grid of the town was forgotten and the river front became the real axis. Virtually the entire business section crowded along the crescent of Richmond and Mawhera Quays, giving rise to 'Crescent City' as an early name for Greymouth.

While the town expanded and changed, it was always vulnerable to the forces of nature, and successive floods wreaked havoc. Early European settlement was based around the goldfields and the coal mines and the town grey rapidly. Fires and floods have destroyed many early records, but many 'old Greymouth' buildings still remain. Following two major floods in 1988, the Greymouth Flood wall was begun. Completed in 1990, it stands as a symbol of defiance against the threat of flooding from the mighty Grey River. The wall not only provides security for the town, but also offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy the town's heritage on foot.

Baillie & Neville Building

The building on the corner of Mawhera Quay and Werita Street is the former Union Bank, built in 'classical revival' style, replacing the original wooden bank premises burned down in 1879. This building is currently the site of a heritage project illustrating early Greymouth.

Becks Emporium (1928)

Becks Emporium was in its heyday one of New Zealand's leading grocers and importers. Now Stewart Nimmo's Gallery, the building retains memories of its former function through the product advertisements still preserved on the walls.

Brick House

This former government building used to house the Railways, Works, Agriculture & Fisheries, Mines and Geological Survey Departments. It was built in 1909 to the plans of government architect John Campbell to the style known as 'restrained Edwardian baroque'. It is currently being refurbished.

Clock Tower

The clock tower was erected by the Greymouth Rotary and Lions clubs in 1992. The clock is from the former Post Office, now demolished, which stood on the corner of Tainui and Guinness Streets. The Post Office Building with the clock dated from 1903.

Cobden Rail Bridge

This was demolished in 2006 and the last train went over it on 28 May. It was the only timber truss S curved bridge in the world. Two spans have been preserved and will become part of a Heritage park in the future.

Court House

The Court House was designed in a restrained 'Edwardian baroque style' by Government architect John Campbell. Built in 1912.

Dredge Buckets

For many years the Grey River was regularly dredged by the 'Mawhera'removing an average 60,000 tons of silt each year. 'Mawhera' was built in Renfrew, Scotland, in 1908, and the black buckets on the flood wall, on which the Renfrew mark can still be seen, are believed to be from the 'Mawhera'. The silver painted buckets are probably from a river gold dredge.

Duke of Edinburgh Hotel

Believed to be the oldest remaining of Greymouth's early hotels. Records place a hotel on this site in 1873, with this building believed to date from the 1890's.

Ellerys / Take Note

These two 1920's buildings typical of the period. Ellerys was formerly the premises of the well known Christchurch firm Ashby Berghs, and Take Note housed Harkers Tearooms.

Gilmer Hotel

The Gilmer family arrived in Greymouth in the 1860's, and early on established a well known hotel on Mawhera Quay, later destroyed by fire. The Hotel was replaced by the building on this site, in 1906. It is currently used as a backpackers.

Hannah's Building

Corner of Tainui and Mackay streets. Constructed to a stripped classical style between 1924-28 for Robert Hannah, who began his nationwide footwear business from Charleston, between Greymouth & Westport.

Harbour Board Building

These Harbour Board officers were built in 1885. The building has been restored under the Grey River Heritage Project and is the offices for the Port of Greymouth.

History House

This building, built in 1924, was formerly the Grey County Council chambers, prior to local authority reconstruction and amalgamation with the Borough. It now houses a museum and history collection, which features a fine collection of early photographs.

Law Offices

The premises of law firm Carruthers & Wetherall, the building was constructed circa 1890, former premises for law firm Joyce & Taylor.

Left Bank Gallery

Formerly the Bank of New Zealand, this was build in 1929, in the 'classical revival' style, after the previous bank building on the same site was destroyed by fire. It is now a gallery and arts centre run by the West Coast Society of Arts.

Masons Pharmacy (formerly Owens Bakehouse)

Another early building, believed to date from the early 1900's, can be seen in 1911 photographs. Has served many commercial purposes over the years.

No.4 Werita St

For many years the premises of an old established law firm. Until quite recent years there was a building retained at the rear of this site which was recognized as being the oldest remaining in Greymouth.

Public Trust

Former Geisking Building opened in 1893. Major redesign of frontage after 1968 earthquake.

Railway Station

The station was built in 1897 and is a Vogel class 2 design, of which it is one of the finest examples. The station was refurbished in 1997 and care was taken to retain the original character of the building. Travellers will know that the station also remains in the path of another Greymouth feature – the ‘Barber’ wind.

Regent Theatre

Built in 1930's in Art Deco Style, using unemployed labour. This building was refurbished in the 1970's after being converted to a factory for a short time. The Theatre now also houses the Greymouth i-SITE Visitor Centre.

Revingtons

The original hotel on this site was the 'Post Office' erected in 1876 which became Revingtons in 1896. The present building was built in 1938, designed by architects Collins and Harman in Spanish revival style. Revingtons hosted the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on their 1954 royal tour.

Robin Ross Jeweller

A prominent landmark in Mackay Street, this building, now a jewellers, was occupied for many years by Wade Cycles. Actual age is not known, understood to be early 1900's. Also appears in photographs circa 1911.

Royal Hotel

The Royal was built in 1930, and the elements of the Art Deco style can be seen. The architect was Edmund Anscomb. The Royal Hotel is still operating and is also used as a Backpackers.

Seafarer

Crafted in 1990, the Seafarer, as well as being a memorial to maritime services, marks the construction of the flood wall, begun after serious floods in 1988. Since then otherwise calamitous river levels have been contained.

Signal Box

The old railway signal box is one of five in left standing in their original locations in New Zealand

Smelting House Café

Built in 1937 these former National bank premises are built on the site of an earlier gold smelting house, from which the present cafe takes its name.

Steamers

Once the offices of the Union Steam Ship Company, and before that the site of shipping agents Nancarrow & Co. This site has a long association with Greymouth's sea trade. Reminders of the past are featured inside. Circa 1910.

Tradewinds / Taxi / Gary Rae Dentist

Early photographs, including a 1912 photograph featured as a mural in the Greymouth branch of Westpac Bank, clearly show these two similar buildings, then with timber cladding. One was for many years the offices of a prominent timber company.

Waitaiki House

McDonnells Building – circa 1935
The current premises of real estate agents EV Arthur & Son

Weighbridge Cabin

This building contained a weigh station, operated by the Railways Department in respect of deliveries to the wharf. The construction date is not known.

Wharf Cranes

The first hydraulic wharf cranes, considered remarkably efficient, were installed in 1887, with others added in 1904, 1913, and 1925. They continued to operate until finally replaced by electric cranes in 1957, when the oldest two had been used for 70 years.

Wild & Robertson

Former Shipping/Timber Industry building circa 1920. Restored in 2004 and the second premises of Stewart Nimmo photographer.

Womens Centre

One of Greymouth's distinctive buildings, this Art Deco example was built in 1940 as part of the centennial celebrations. Often seen as a background in Television pictorials of the West Coast.

Other Sites

Other buildings and sites of interest include Dispatch & Garlick Ltd Foundry (damaged in the March 2005 Tornado and currently under restoration) Lord Street, the Union Hotel, Herbert Street and the site of the Mawhera Pa, on the seaward side of the Cobden Bridge, which is marked by a Historic Place plaque.

Karoro Cemetery, Chesterfield Street, dates back to the start of European settlement.