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New Zealand Heritage Properties

New Zealand Heritage Properties is a diverse company that specializes in Archaeological consulting,

02/09/2025

Last week our team lifted what looked like a fairly standard concrete porch entryway from a demolished pre-1900 house… and we were met with a surprise.

As the porch came up, a cascade of old machinery fell out from underneath. We're talking gears, parts, and tools that had clearly been hidden away for decades.

Can you guess what these pieces were used for? Drop your theories in the comments — we’d love to hear them!

28/08/2025

NZHP was able to visit two historic gold mining sites over the past week, and we’ve come across a few intriguing water races. Water races are man-made channels used primarily for irrigation, stock watering, and historically for gold mining. These larger water races were found to intersect with smaller races at several points across the site. These features offer a quiet reminder of the ingenuity and effort that shaped these landscapes. We’re continuing to document them with care, mindful of the stories they hold.

22/08/2025

Have you been marveling at the new ACC building on Dowling Street? Then boy do we have a treat for you - our wonderful team member Megan Lawrence is presenting a talk on the archaeological investigations we undertook at the Dowling Street site as part of this development on Wednesday 27th August! See the attached flyer for more details and be there or be square/uninformed about the FIRST first church etc etc

11/08/2025

Have you wandered through Dunedin’s iconic city centre, The Octagon, and wondered what stories its buildings could tell?

Take a look at this fascinating comparison: a photograph from circa 1900 alongside a modern view of one side of The Octagon. While the facades may have changed, the history is still very much alive.

From left to right in the historic photo:

The Dunedin Starr-Bowkett Building Society once offered financial services to locals (Cyclopedia Company Limited, 2021). Today, it’s home to Bacchus Wine Bar and Restaurant, serving fine food and wine in a heritage setting.

F. Howell & Co., renowned pianoforte manufacturers, occupied the next spot (Otago Daily Times, 2009). Now, you’ll find the lively Stuart Street Brew Bar.

Smith & Smith Ltd. operated a diverse business—from sign writing and decorating to stained glass and tailoring. Their enterprise spanned two buildings, which today house the elegant 1928 Regent Theatre (The History of the Regent, n.d.) and the vibrant Vault 21 Asian-Fusion restaurant.

The Dunedin Athenaeum was a hub of culture and commerce, hosting a library, photographers, hairdressers, and tailors. The Athenaeum Library still operates here, alongside Thistle Café and Bar and The Craic Irish Tavern.

Finally, the corner building once held Holden Piano and Organ Co. and F.J. Townsend, Jeweller. While the facade has been drastically altered, today, it’s the spirited Dunedin Social Club.

Next time you’re in The Octagon, take a moment to look beyond the modern storefronts. You might just uncover a piece of Dunedin’s rich history hidden in plain sight.

29/07/2025

A few months ago, our NZHP team had the privilege of touring the Dunedin City Council Archives — and what a fascinating journey it was! Although, we might have lost a few people along the way… they were so captivated by the historic treasure trove, they might just be a permanent part of the archives now!

We got a behind-the-scenes look at stunning historic city plans and beautifully preserved documents, along with how Dunedin’s rich history is carefully stored and protected.

It was a great opportunity to connect as a team, learn more about the city’s heritage, and reflect on the importance of preserving our collective stories. Huge thanks to the DCC Archives team for hosting us and sharing their incredible knowledge!

17/07/2025

Here are the answers to last week's challenge!

1. Building (name or nickname, decade built): University registry building / a.k.a. The Clocktower building – 1879 (photo: https://structurae.net/en/structures/university-of-otago-registry-building/media)
2. What street intersection is this?: Elder and Pitt Street
3. Building (name, decade built): North Dunedin Post office – 1879 (photo: https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/2154/Listing)
4. What’s this body of water called? Pelichet Bay surrounding Lake Logan (filled in for 1925-1926 New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, photo: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F0ZTzabaQAA-Z76.jpg)
5. Building (name, decade built): Knox Church – 1876 (photo: https://www.southernpresbyterians.nz/church/Knox-Church-Dunedin)
6. Building (name, decade built): Old Knox Church – 1860 (photo: https://www.knoxchurch.org.nz/thechurch)
7. What shop is here today? What decade is the building from?: CJ Asian Supermarket - 1900-1901 (photo: https://cj-asian-supermarket-dunedin.wheree.com/)
8. Building (name, decade built): Exhibition Building at Dunedin / Hospital - 1865 (photo: Illustrated London News, 13 May 1865, p.457. https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/45427/the-new-zealand-exhibition-dunedin-1865 #:~:text=These%20drawings%20from%20the%20Illustrated,reflecting%20lenses%20from%20a%20lighthouse)
9. Building (name, decade built): Dandie Dinmont Hotel – 1880 (photo: https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/7728/Dandie%20Dinmont%20Hotel%20(Former))

Bonus: name the decade this photo was taken in: 1900-1910 (it was taken in 1901 – which is actually on the photo itself!) (photo: https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/764753?page=1&rtp=1&ros=1&asr=1&assoc=all&mb=c)

11/07/2025

Check out this historic panorama of Dunedin!

Can you guess the following numbered places?

1. Building (name or nickname, decade built)
2. What street intersection is this?
3. Building (name, decade built)
4. What’s this body of water called?
5. Building (name, decade built)
6. Building (name, decade built)
7. What decade is the building from? What’s here today?
8. Building (name, decade built)
9. Building (name, decade built)

Bonus: name the decade this photo was taken in!

Stay tuned. Answers are coming next week!

https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/764753?page=1&rtp=1&ros=1&asr=1&assoc=all&mb=c

04/07/2025

Timber Box Drain Discovery!

During monitoring works, NZHP occasionally come across timber box drains. Timber box drains were an early drainage solution made from wooden planks. These were commonly used in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to manage water flow in areas prone to flooding or waterlogging.

Before concrete and plastic became the norm, timber drains like this were vital for protecting roads, properties, and farmland. A fascinating glimpse into how infrastructure was built with the materials at hand!

18/06/2025

NZHP is excited about the Heritage South Social Science Fair, a fantastic initiative celebrating curiosity, culture, and community. One of our very own archaeologists is a Trustee for Heritage South, who are doing amazing work to preserve and promote Southland’s rich heritage.
Head over to Heritage South’s page to check out their latest post and learn more about how you can get involved in this inspiring event. Whether you're a student, teacher, or heritage enthusiast, there's something for everyone!

16/06/2025

NZHP recently recorded a commercial stable, tucked away in the heart of Dunedin. The beautifully preserved cobbled floor was captured in detail through photogrammetry.

You can still see where the stall walls once stood, along with original drainage features and later brick patching — a layered story of use, repair, and adaptation over time.

This site has a long and varied history of occupation, with evidence of stables, homes, and workshops dating back to the nineteenth century. While much has changed above ground, the floor beneath tells a quiet story of the city’s working past.

06/06/2025

Freaky Friday Find

Not quite archaeological… but definitely unsettling.
Weird things turn up in the field sometimes—like this doll head staring straight into your soul.

09/05/2025

Reminder that we have team members at Look at My Thing TONIGHT!! Also a reminder to book your spot on the guided cemetery walk on Sunday. What a weekend!

Address

106 Bond Street, Salisbury House
Dunedin
9016

Telephone

+6434773933

Website

http://www.heritageproperties.co.nz/

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