Geoffrey Thornton’s lifelong interest was in the study of New Zealand’s engineering heritage and he was influential in gaining recognition for engineering and industrial heritage in New Zealand.
Geoffrey started his career with the Public Works Department in 1940, gaining a position in the Head Office in Wellington as an architectural cadet.
In 1941 he joined the Territorial Force and went on to serve in World War II with the 6th Field Company Engineers in Egypt and Italy.
Returning to New Zealand after the war, he continued architectural studies. From the 1950s through to his retirement in 1980, Geoffrey worked as an architect for the Ministry of Works.
Geoffrey served on the New Zealand Historic Places Trust Board and was instrumental in seeing the definition of heritage broaden to include the recognition and promotion of engineering heritage.
Geoffrey wrote extensively about engineering heritage. His best-known publications include New Zealand’s Industrial Heritage (1982) and Bridging the Gap: Early Bridges in New Zealand 1830–1939 (2001).
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This interview is held at the Alexander Turnbull Library. Contact the library for more information.
Date of Interview: 2010
