Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works (1904)

Early on the morning of 10 May 1904, a large fire, originating in the factory's boiler room, completely destroyed the Taranaki Freezing Works at Moturoa. The wooden building was constructed in 1895 for the Taranaki Freezing Company Limited, which in 1901 became the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company Ltd, a co-operative engaged in the sorting, grading, and refrigeration of butter and cheese collected from dairy factories across Taranaki. The fire was a huge blow for the burgeoning Taranaki dairy industry, although thankfully it occurred in the off-season, when milk production was low, and the factory was relatively empty - although 4000 boxes of butter in the storeroom still fuelled the flames.

Following the fire it was suggested that the factory shouldn't be rebuilt at Moturoa - or indeed in Taranaki at all. Wellington based Mr David J. Nathan, wrote to the many Taranaki dairy factories, who were the owners of the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works, suggesting that there would be great benefits for the entire New Zealand dairy industry if operations were centralised in Wellington. He suggested they should buy or lease premises on Waterloo Quay for the purpose. However, both the Taranaki Herald and Taranaki Daily News were fervently against this proposal, and devoted ample space to discussing why it should not be proceeded with. 

The proposal was not supported, and it was soon resolved to re-erect the factory in brick on the Moturoa site. By 1 June 1904, it was reported that plans were being prepared for the new factory by well-known dairy factory/freezing works architect Mr W. Panton, of Napier, and that tenders would be called for as soon as possible. The successful tender of Messrs. Pikett and Spencer for the sum of £6907 was accepted on 18 June. 

The new structure was slightly bigger than the old building and had a large 60ft chimney on the eastern side (since demolished). Construction continued day and night, with the first portion of the building complete by mid-September, and the entire building finished by the 28th of October - a remarkable achievement. More than 250,000 bricks were used in the building's construction, and these were produced locally at the Waitara and Onaero kilns. Joinery was supplied by the Sash and Door Company; plumbing was by the Griffiths Company; Kauri was obtained from the Kauri Timber Company; Red Pine (Rimu) from Taranaki, and Totara from from Ashurst. An interesting feature of the building was the insulation of the coolrooms - pumice in a double-Kauri lining.

The surviving portion of the 1904 freezing works building housed the boiler room, engine house, and ice room - the freezing chambers occupied the western end of the building, which was demolished circa 1940s, and replaced with the present T. H. Bates designed building. 

This building is significant as one of the earliest surviving structures associated with the dairy industry in New Plymouth; as part of a group of buildings associated with the development of the Taranaki dairy industry under the co-operative model over the last century - neighbouring buildings include the butter store and produce store, both designed by noted New Plymouth architect Thomas Bates; as a rare example of a large 1900s industrial building in New Plymouth; and as a rare example of a large brick building in New Plymouth. 

Related item:

Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Engine Room, Hakirau Street New Plymouth, Draft Heritage Assessment (Hamish Crimp, 2019).