Public Works Department camp

Public Works Department camp

A Public Works Department camp at Hāpuawhenua, near Ohakune. Working and living conditions for the thousands of men who built the North Island main trunk line were primitive. A visitor to Raurimu in 1908 described how 'Continuous heavy rain, with occasional hail, sleet and snow, much fog, miry clay, and a tangled bed of wild undergrowth knitting together the forest giants, made a tough job for the workers.'

Community contributions

2 comments have been posted about Public Works Department camp

What do you know?

Lorraine Baughan

Posted: 24 Feb 2022

I have old photo of Falls Dam camp near St. Bathans with a family group outside a hut. Do you have records of names of men who worked in such camps as this one in NZ during the 1030's

Lesley Miller

Posted: 08 Sep 2012

Do you have any similar material about Public Works camps that happened in Central Otago?