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Kōpuawhara Railway Viaduct

5 Sep 2017

Initially known as Waiau Stream Viaduct, this is one of six major viaducts on the Napier-Gisborne Railway, which was completed in 1942. The design was carried out in the Public Works Department's Head Office in Wellington under Charles William Oakey Turner, Chief Designing Engineer.

Chelsea Sugar Refinery

5 Sep 2017

The Chelsea Sugar Refinery commenced operation in 1884 and is notable because it is still New Zealand’s only sugar works. It’s one of the longest continuously functioning works in New Zealand and is one of Auckland’s most important industrial landmarks.

Remutaka Railway

5 Sep 2017

Surveyed by John Rochfort in 1870–71, the railway from Wellington as far as Kaitoke opened on 1 January 1878, and was extended to Featherston on 12 October 1878.

Peter Seton Hay (1852–1907)

5 Sep 2017

Peter Seton Hay was born in Glasgow and came with his parents to New Zealand in 1860. He was educated in Dunedin, becoming the first Bachelor of Arts (BA) of Otago University in 1877. He followed this with a Master of Arts (MA) with first-class honours in mathematics the next year.

James Wylde (1824–1908)

5 Sep 2017

James Wylde was born into a well-known musical family in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England, on 29 November 1824. They subsequently moved to London and he attended the Public school of Westminster. His older brother Henry became a founder and director of the London Academy of Music, a composer and long-time conductor of the New Philharmonic concerts and important in the history of English music.

George Thomas Murray (1859–1947)

5 Sep 2017

Born in Dunedin on 4 November 1859, George Murray was educated at Oamaru Grammar School. During 1877 and 1878 he attended Otago University. In August 1877, he entered the office of Barr and Oliver, civil engineers and surveyors, Dunedin, as a cadet. In December 1880, he qualified as an authorised surveyor.

Auckland Rail Renaissance

2 Jun 2026

Auckland now boasts a world-class rail passenger transit system, but for many years the potential of rail to play a major role in meeting the public transport needs of Auckland was neglected.

Highlights from the Transportation Conference -...

Canterbury

25 May 2026

Join us on Wednesday 10 June where we will be recapping 4 amazing presentations from the Transportation Group Conference.

Bridges to School

Waikato

20 May 2026

Join the Waikato Branch and BETS for a joint workshop to learn how you can book and facilitate a Bridges to Schools session at your local school.

Alexander William Aitken (1921-2017)

21 Apr 2026

Alec Aitken’s career with the Public Works Department was full of notable achievements. He will be remembered particularly for his involvement with roading and motorway construction. Despite the nature of this work, he was always a conservationist and concerned to see that the environment was carefully considered despite pressure to do otherwise.