Manaia Redoubt and Tower (1880/1914)

The Manaia Redoubt, with its two loop-holed wooden blockhouses, was constructed in October/November 1880 (Hawera & Normanby Star 10 Nov 1880) on the earthworks of an old pā. A wooden watch-tower (designed by Constable Hans Knuston) was added at the redoubt's entrance later the following year.(Hawera & Normanby Star 3 Oct 1881)

The redoubt was garrisoned until 1885-86 by Armed Constabulary under Captain W E Gudgeon.

The decaying wooden tower was blown down in a storm in 1910 (Hawera & Normanby Star 1 April 1910) and for some time its re-erection was proposed. Eventually the Manaia Beautifying Society determined to replace it with a concrete replica as a memorial to the area's past military personnel. Tenders were called for construction of the replica tower by Hāwera architect, John Duffill, on 10 November 1913 and the building completed in October 1914 (Hawera & Normanby Star 2 Oct  1914)

A German field gun - the town's World War One trophy - was mounted within the redoubt in 1922. It was removed many years ago although the concrete base remains.

The steps leading up to the tower are a memorial to 2nd Lieut Lorenz Wilfred Meuli, 6/4577, Wellington Infantry Regiment, KIA in France on 16 September 1916.

Further Reading and links:

Mania Watchtower: Now a Picturesque Attraction (Taranaki Daily News 7 June 1932)

Cooke, Peter & Ian Mathieson, 2013