31 Mar 2026
Check out a roundup of the latest heritage news and discover new resources and featured content.
Featured Heritage Technology Museum
Faraday Museum of Technology, Napier
A Tesla Coil. Wikimedia Creative Commons Attribution CC BY-SA 4.0
Michael Faraday was a great 19th century scientist who made significant discoveries in science, particularly in electricity generation.
The museum was founded around the Fullagar Engine once used by the Municipal Electrical Department and is a centrepiece of the displays. Watch a video about the engine.
A mesmerising highlight is a Tesla Coil – and that predates the like named EVs! It’s a great educational museum.
There are lots more Technology Museums to see. Check out a Google Map here
Heritage at Engineering New Zealand
Planning and Natural Environment Bills
Engineering New Zealand’s submission on these bills included heritage concerns: the addition of significant to the definition of heritage to be protected; and the difficulties the proposed regulatory relief provisions would place in the way of local government protecting heritage.
Read Engineering New Zealand’s submission
New Register Entry Remutaka Railway
Fell engine and train exiting Siberia Tunnel and passing the windbreaks, ca.1910. Photographer: Albert Percy Godber. Alexander Turnbull Library, Ref: APG-0153-1/2-G. /records/22300820
The heritage sites we recognise are divided into Record and Register sites. The latter are the more thoroughly researched and documented. We have just upgraded one of our Record sites to the higher standard.
Once a vital link through the rugged Remutaka Range, this mountainous rail route connected Kaitoke to Cross Creek and played a key role in New Zealand’s early rail network. Today, it’s a popular walking and cycling track – but its engineering story is just as impressive.
Our latest Engineering Heritage Register entry, the Remutaka Railway, is now live. Whether you’re into rail, love a good walk or ride, or enjoy uncovering Aotearoa’s engineering past, this one’s worth exploring.
Read the Heritage Register Report
New Heritage Board Members
At our recent meeting we welcomed Louis Collingwood and John Kerr as new members of the Heritage Board. They are appointees by the Governing Board. Louis is from Christchurch and John from the Waikato.
Heritage Record entries now organised by category
Explore over 180 categorised entries on our updated Heritage Records page, from bridges, buildings and batteries, to power, ports and precarious railways. Whether you're interested in pioneering kiwi innovations or advancements that connected us with the world, you're sure to learn something new – and old.
Meet Engineering New Zealand's new President
Kennie Tsui CNZM FEngNZ CPEng IntPE(NZ) has been appointed as Engineering New Zealand's new President. Watch her introductory video – filmed at the iconic Wellington Cable Car, where she also serves on the Board – as she shares more about her background, values and priorities for the profession.
Heritage in the News
Ashburton Rail Bridge
“Repairs coming for heritage footbridge. Ashburton’s historic rail footbridge will be refurbished later this year, in a project that will preserve an important slice of history and ensure a safe mid-town rail crossing for future generations.”
Lincoln Flour Mill
“The Selwyn District Council started work on Ryelands Reserve and the Liffey Stream in Lincoln. Between now and mid June, the council will install a water wheel monument provided by Lincoln Rotary, replace the existing weir, and install a fish passage, fix eroding stream banks and complete native planting.
The water wheel powered the millstones for grinding grain at the mill; there will also be a display of the original heritage millstones.”
Remuera Station Restoration
The historic train station is getting critical restoration funding. The station is one of the most significant remaining suburban railway buildings in New Zealand and is almost in in original condition.
“It was opened in 1873 and initially started as a stop on the Auckland-Onehunga railway. The design is an island station, with the signal box one of only two in New Zealand that’s original.”
Dunedin Seismic Requirements Questioned
“Heritage advocates warn shifting to higher seismic zone will damage Dunedin's economy…Structural engineer and heritage building developer Stephen Macknight said Dunedin has New Zealand's best collection of heritage buildings.”
Ashburton Chimney
“One of Ashburton’s landmark buildings is set to have its towering 38.4m chimney shortened to one-fifth its size.
The former Ashburton Glassworks is considered by historians as an outstanding feature in the Ashburton townscape.”
Heritage Anniversary
Cable Bay as it was. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, AWNS-19041229-11-1.
Life before text messages? The installation of the first trans-Tasman telegraph cable 150 years ago was pivotal in establishing the strong political, commercial and social ties between Kiwis and Aussies that endure today.
Learn about how this vital international link developed over the years and why it's recognised on the Heritage Register.
Events
Australian Engineering Heritage Conference
Taking a holistic approach to engineering heritage – past, present and future.
11–12 November 2026
Swinburne University, Melbourne
Featured Heritage Record
Kopu Bridge – with its successor behind. Photo Johnragla, Wikimedia, Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
Kopu Bridge near Thames is one of our Register sites
From 1928 the Kopu Bridge provided an important link between Thames and the Hauraki Plains and considerably shortened the distance between Thames-Coromandel and Auckland. The project was undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD), with a significant financial contribution from the recently established Main Highways Board.
After World War Two the bridge became increasingly important for providing passage for the growing amount of traffic between Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula. A decline in river traffic meant that the swing span was retired from regular openings in the late 20th century, but has continued to be opened by arrangement for special occasions until the late 20th century. By the early 1990s the Kopu Bridge had become the most heavily used single-lane road bridge in New Zealand. The Kopu Bridge was no longer able to cope with the peak traffic of the holiday period, therefore in late 2011 a new two-lane bridge was completed immediately upstream of the existing structure.
This update was written by Garry Law, Chair of the Engineering Heritage Board. The Board provides support and strategic direction to Engineering New Zealand’s heritage work programme.
There are plenty of ways to get involved with Engineering New Zealand’s Engineering Heritage Programme
Have something for the next update? Email heritage@engineeringnz.org
