Proud owners and proud to restore one of Timaru's most significant heritage buildings
The former Timaru Customhouse stands as one of the city’s most confident architectural statements: a compact neoclassical jewel with strong Georgian revival elements designed by local architect Daniel West (1828-1910) and completed in 1902.
Historically, the Customhouse embodies Timaru’s transformation from a modest coastal settlement into a fully-fledged port of entry. Customs work had long been improvised in makeshift offices and the Post Office, but the arrival of the railway and expanding trade demanded a purpose-built centre of operations.
The new Customhouse placed officials at the nexus of port and rail, streamlining the movement of goods and symbolising the economic ambitions of a town on the rise. Figures like Charles Nixon and earlier customs agents helped shape Timaru’s commercial identity, and the building remained a hub of government activity until 1976.
Historically, the Customhouse embodies Timaru’s transformation from a modest coastal settlement into a fully-fledged port of entry. Customs work had long been improvised in makeshift offices and the Post Office, but the arrival of the railway and expanding trade demanded a purpose-built centre of operations.
The new Customhouse placed officials at the nexus of port and rail, streamlining the movement of goods and symbolising the economic ambitions of a town on the rise. Figures like Charles Nixon and earlier customs agents helped shape Timaru’s commercial identity, and the building remained a hub of government activity until 1976.
The Customhouse’s fluted Doric columns, crisp pediments, acroteria, and parapet give the building a poised, almost ceremonial presence on its rounded corner site at Strathallan Street. The symmetry is deliberate and declarative: a visual assertion of state authority at the edge of a fast growing port.
Brick walls dressed in cement plaster, an arched portico bearing the proud “HM Customs 1902” inscription, and finely detailed interior cornices all speak to the craftsmanship praised at its opening.
Brick walls dressed in cement plaster, an arched portico bearing the proud “HM Customs 1902” inscription, and finely detailed interior cornices all speak to the craftsmanship praised at its opening.
Even today, the building’s classical vocabulary (frieze wreaths, pilasters, and the sweep of its iron boundary fence) makes it instantly recognisable, a rare and beautifully preserved example of civic neoclassicism in South Canterbury.
Normally for the exterior of an official or commercial late Victorian building in the ornate Italianate style it quite appropriate to choose an exterior palette of high contrast colours.
However, the Customshouse is unusual in the purity of its classicism, prioritising harmony, symmetry and proportion, and also, we didn’t want to depart too drastically with what the public was already familiar with, so we chose Resene Parchment, picking out the architectural details in Resene Half and Quarter Parchment.
To provide an eye-catching pop of colour visible from the street, in keeping with Victorian and Georgian sensibilities with a contemporary twist, we painted the main entrance doors in Resene Red Planet gloss, a warm, robust and inviting colour.
We used Resene Gold Dust to accent the wreathes on the entablature and the crown above the door.
The interior of the Customhouse is much more straightforwardly Victorian.
They were far bolder in its tastes than we tend to think today. The Victorian palette historically ranged from stone neutrals and warm creams to deep Pompeian reds, Brunswick greens, and umber‑based browns, but these colours were rarely used uniformly and were deployed to articulate mouldings, emphasise cornices, or create visual depth in high‑ceilinged rooms.
We used Resene Gold Dust to accent the wreathes on the entablature and the crown above the door.
The interior of the Customhouse is much more straightforwardly Victorian.
They were far bolder in its tastes than we tend to think today. The Victorian palette historically ranged from stone neutrals and warm creams to deep Pompeian reds, Brunswick greens, and umber‑based browns, but these colours were rarely used uniformly and were deployed to articulate mouldings, emphasise cornices, or create visual depth in high‑ceilinged rooms.
We wanted to honour that, but we had to balance that with the expectations of a contemporary dining establishment, particularly one serving Thai fusion cuisine. The palette also had to work with relatively low light levels and intimate spaces. We also wanted to differentiate the spaces. We went for a warm, primarily earth-toned palette.
To bring the red of the doors inside, in the entrance foyer the wall opposite, leading into the large dining room, is painted in the slightly more subdued Resene Dynamite. For the other walls of the foyer we chose Resene Tussock to distinguish from the dominant wall colour in the dining rooms, Resene Pizza.
To bring the red of the doors inside, in the entrance foyer the wall opposite, leading into the large dining room, is painted in the slightly more subdued Resene Dynamite. For the other walls of the foyer we chose Resene Tussock to distinguish from the dominant wall colour in the dining rooms, Resene Pizza.
We continued the Resene Dynamite into the small bar area, using Resene Brown Sugar for the accent wall and chimney breast. This keeps the space cozy and intimate. We also used Resene Brown Sugar for the chimney breasts in the main and smaller dining rooms to stand out, but not too much, from the Resene Pizza on the walls.
Resene Pizza has a wonderful richness and depth, while not being too dark, and perfect for a high status Victorian interior. All the ceilings and cornices in the interior are in Resene Spanish White – a pure white would have been too cool and cream is a bit pedestrian.
In the main dining room the Resene Spanish White comes down to a wooden dado rail, lightening the space and differentiating it from the smaller dining room. All of the public spaces feature a lot of dark-stained wood and this palette really makes it stand out dramatically.
The bathroom area is quite basic, but we have heightened these with Resene Pizza on the few paintable areas.
- By Dr Andrew Paul Wood.
Volunteer and Deputy Timaru Civic Trust Board Chair
Resene Pizza has a wonderful richness and depth, while not being too dark, and perfect for a high status Victorian interior. All the ceilings and cornices in the interior are in Resene Spanish White – a pure white would have been too cool and cream is a bit pedestrian.
In the main dining room the Resene Spanish White comes down to a wooden dado rail, lightening the space and differentiating it from the smaller dining room. All of the public spaces feature a lot of dark-stained wood and this palette really makes it stand out dramatically.
The bathroom area is quite basic, but we have heightened these with Resene Pizza on the few paintable areas.
- By Dr Andrew Paul Wood.
Volunteer and Deputy Timaru Civic Trust Board Chair
New roofing iron ready to install at the Timaru Civic Trusts Customhouse in august 2026. Photo Roselyn Fauth
The Timaru Customs House. Neoclassical Building by architect Daniel West. Exterior view of the Custom House at Timaru, on the corner of Cains Terrace and Strathallan Street, photographed circa 1902. Shows a stone building in a neoclassical style, with two pairs of columns framing the entrance Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. Tiaki12044242-F
Timaru Custom House 1901-2. 2 Strathallan Street, Timaru. Designed by Daniel West.
Style: Neoclassical. Square footprint and gabled roof concealed by a parapet. The entrance is through a portico framed by pairs of fluted Doric columns with frieze and pediment above. Each of the windows has a pediment bead.
Built by Thomas Pringle (1847-1923). Constructed in brick covered in cement plaster and features by a Scottish-born builder and contractor who spent some time in the United States before emigrating to New Zealand in 1878.
Plasterwork by Emil Hall.
A listed category I historic place as a building of outstanding historical and cultural heritage significance. The building was constructed in a ornate temple style Neoclassical building for the Government as a custom house. Was seen as an important step in the development of Timaru’s town centre. The building was relinquished by the government in 1976 and was converted to commercial use. In mid-2018 The Timaru Civic Trust purchased this property.
Heritage NZ Inventory: heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/324 Registered under the Historic Places Act 1980.
Timaru District Council Heritage Report: Historic-Heritage-Assessment--Customhouse
Timaru Custom House 1901-2. 2 Strathallan Street, Timaru. Designed by Daniel West.
Style: Neoclassical. Square footprint and gabled roof concealed by a parapet. The entrance is through a portico framed by pairs of fluted Doric columns with frieze and pediment above. Each of the windows has a pediment bead.
Built by Thomas Pringle (1847-1923). Constructed in brick covered in cement plaster and features by a Scottish-born builder and contractor who spent some time in the United States before emigrating to New Zealand in 1878.
Plasterwork by Emil Hall.
A listed category I historic place as a building of outstanding historical and cultural heritage significance. The building was constructed in a ornate temple style Neoclassical building for the Government as a custom house. Was seen as an important step in the development of Timaru’s town centre. The building was relinquished by the government in 1976 and was converted to commercial use. In mid-2018 The Timaru Civic Trust purchased this property.
Heritage NZ Inventory: heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/324 Registered under the Historic Places Act 1980.
Timaru District Council Heritage Report: Historic-Heritage-Assessment--Customhouse
Railway locomotive next to the Customhouse at Timaru p13 1910-1920 South Canterbury Museum 3873
People, places and names that impacted timaru
Stafford Street, is named after Edward William Stafford (1819–1901). He served as Premier of New Zealand three times between 1856 and 1872 and was also Colonial Secretary, holding significant influence over how government authority was extended across the country. He played a major role in bringing central government to outposts like Timaru, appointed Belfield Woollcombe as Government Agent in 1857. Stafford was the Member of Parliament for Timaru between 1868 and his retirement in 1878.
Cains Terrace, is named after Captain Henry Cain (1816–1886), who was one of Timaru’s first permanent European residents. He lived there for his last 30 years. He was at sea from age 13. He came to run a store and landing station for Henry Le Cren at the foot of Strathallan Street mainly to service the Rhodes’ ‘Levels’ sheep station, South Canterbury’s first farm. Cain was the town’s second mayor (1870 to 1873) when the towns population was 3000 and rebuilding after the Great 1868 Fire that destroyed three quarters of the Central Business District. His wife Jane, turned the first sod for the Christchurch to Timaru Railway as mayoress 1871. Cain died in 1886 at the age of 70 after being allegedly poisoned by his son-in-law Thomas Hall. His statue is outside the Timaru Landing Services Building.
Strathallan Street, was named after the first immigrant ship to sail direct from England in 1858 arriving in Timaru with 110 passengers including 30 children under 10 years old in 1859. Wealth was unevenly distributed in England. Bread, potatoes and dried peas were the diet of the working class person and a loaf of bread cost half a worker’s wage. So they moved to New Zealand in the hope of a better life. One lady wrote in her diary, if Timaru was a quarter of the size of London she would be happy. When she arrived there were only five houses in sight!
Cains Terrace, is named after Captain Henry Cain (1816–1886), who was one of Timaru’s first permanent European residents. He lived there for his last 30 years. He was at sea from age 13. He came to run a store and landing station for Henry Le Cren at the foot of Strathallan Street mainly to service the Rhodes’ ‘Levels’ sheep station, South Canterbury’s first farm. Cain was the town’s second mayor (1870 to 1873) when the towns population was 3000 and rebuilding after the Great 1868 Fire that destroyed three quarters of the Central Business District. His wife Jane, turned the first sod for the Christchurch to Timaru Railway as mayoress 1871. Cain died in 1886 at the age of 70 after being allegedly poisoned by his son-in-law Thomas Hall. His statue is outside the Timaru Landing Services Building.
Strathallan Street, was named after the first immigrant ship to sail direct from England in 1858 arriving in Timaru with 110 passengers including 30 children under 10 years old in 1859. Wealth was unevenly distributed in England. Bread, potatoes and dried peas were the diet of the working class person and a loaf of bread cost half a worker’s wage. So they moved to New Zealand in the hope of a better life. One lady wrote in her diary, if Timaru was a quarter of the size of London she would be happy. When she arrived there were only five houses in sight!
New Zealand Master Carriers and Customhouse Agents' Federation 13th annual conference
Group portrait of the unidentified members of the New Zealand Master Carriers and Customhouse Agents' Federation during the 13th annual conference held at Dunedin.
Printed annotation reads: Back row: J. Henderson (Dunedin), C. W. Kerse (Exec., Ingill), W. J. Winefield (Exec., Dunedin), Ern Smith (Exec., Chch), G. D. McEwin (Petone).
Middle row: J. Phillips (Dunedin), H. M. Marshall (Ingill), J. B. Wood (Timaru), L. Pearson (Exec., Masterton), F. Goodwin (Exec., Dunedin), T. E. Wiltshire (Exec., Chch), T. Young (Chch), R. Whitbrock. Front row: W. Thornber (Exec., Blenheim), C. G. Langridge (Exec., Palmerston N.), J. H. Kirkwood (Vice-Pres, Dn.), His Worship the Mayor (E. T Cox, Dn), A. J. Curtis (Pres., Wgtn). W. J. Mountjoy (Feder. Exec., Wgtn), Barton Ginger (Exec., Wgtn), W. J. Blyth (Vice-Pres, Wgtn). E. A. Phillips, Photo. Dunedin.
Written annotation reads: Arch524/3/6. MS330, Smith Papers. https://www.canterburystories.nz/collections/archives/archive524/ccl-cs-93176
Group portrait of the unidentified members of the New Zealand Master Carriers and Customhouse Agents' Federation during the 13th annual conference held at Dunedin.
Printed annotation reads: Back row: J. Henderson (Dunedin), C. W. Kerse (Exec., Ingill), W. J. Winefield (Exec., Dunedin), Ern Smith (Exec., Chch), G. D. McEwin (Petone).
Middle row: J. Phillips (Dunedin), H. M. Marshall (Ingill), J. B. Wood (Timaru), L. Pearson (Exec., Masterton), F. Goodwin (Exec., Dunedin), T. E. Wiltshire (Exec., Chch), T. Young (Chch), R. Whitbrock. Front row: W. Thornber (Exec., Blenheim), C. G. Langridge (Exec., Palmerston N.), J. H. Kirkwood (Vice-Pres, Dn.), His Worship the Mayor (E. T Cox, Dn), A. J. Curtis (Pres., Wgtn). W. J. Mountjoy (Feder. Exec., Wgtn), Barton Ginger (Exec., Wgtn), W. J. Blyth (Vice-Pres, Wgtn). E. A. Phillips, Photo. Dunedin.
Written annotation reads: Arch524/3/6. MS330, Smith Papers. https://www.canterburystories.nz/collections/archives/archive524/ccl-cs-93176
Detail photos of the Timaru Customhouse - Roselyn Fauth 2026
Timaru 1902 Custom House August 2025. Photography By Roselyn Fauth
Timaru, South Canterbury. Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs. Ref: WA-49669. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/32241122
