1985 - Formed to save the Timaru Landing Service Building
The Trust was founded in response to the demolition or threat to key heritage buildings — such as the Ballantynes building and Canterbury Farmers Co op building — and the potential loss of the Landing Service Building. Concerned citizens held a public meeting to form a local civic organization modeled on Christchurch Civic Trust.
It became formally incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act in February 1986, with a constitution and elected board. Membership by subscription was opened to the public, Civic Trust. Some of the early members of the Timaru Civic Trust included (in alphabetical order): Philip and Jo Brownie, Bruce Leadley, David McBride, Wynne and Nan Raymond, Tony and Jocelyn Sleigh, David Stringer, Alan and Ginny Talbot, Dr Peter Thodey and John Wilson.
Over the years, a number of people have helped guide the organisation as trustees, board members and office holders, including Graham Cadigan, Roselyn Fauth, Grant Finlayson, Jan Gilbert, Nigel Gilkison, Peter Hall, John Hargraves, Kalpesh Hari, Samuel Hervey, Lynne Kerr, David McBride, Joshua Newlove, Sophie Preen, Juliet Shallard, Valerie Sleigh, Christopher Stark, Alan Stringer, Christopher Templeton, James Wallace and Andrew Wood.
The Timaru Civic Trust became a registered charity in 2008 register.charities.govt.nz/Charity/CC22212
We are in the process of researching and recording our history, acknowledging those who established the Trust and saved the Landing Service Building. If you have been involved with the Trust over the years, we welcome you to contact us.
It became formally incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act in February 1986, with a constitution and elected board. Membership by subscription was opened to the public, Civic Trust. Some of the early members of the Timaru Civic Trust included (in alphabetical order): Philip and Jo Brownie, Bruce Leadley, David McBride, Wynne and Nan Raymond, Tony and Jocelyn Sleigh, David Stringer, Alan and Ginny Talbot, Dr Peter Thodey and John Wilson.
Over the years, a number of people have helped guide the organisation as trustees, board members and office holders, including Graham Cadigan, Roselyn Fauth, Grant Finlayson, Jan Gilbert, Nigel Gilkison, Peter Hall, John Hargraves, Kalpesh Hari, Samuel Hervey, Lynne Kerr, David McBride, Joshua Newlove, Sophie Preen, Juliet Shallard, Valerie Sleigh, Christopher Stark, Alan Stringer, Christopher Templeton, James Wallace and Andrew Wood.
The Timaru Civic Trust became a registered charity in 2008 register.charities.govt.nz/Charity/CC22212
We are in the process of researching and recording our history, acknowledging those who established the Trust and saved the Landing Service Building. If you have been involved with the Trust over the years, we welcome you to contact us.
Saving the Landing Service Building and the Birth of the Timaru Civic Trust
The old stone Landing Service Building on George Street is now such a familiar part of Timaru that it is easy to forget how close it came to being lost. In the mid-1980s its future was uncertain. Timaru City Council had acquired the former Dalgety property and was considering redevelopment of the site. Demolition of at least part of the old building was possible.
The campaign that followed involved the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Timaru City Council, architects, heritage supporters and local residents. It also helped lead to the formation of the Timaru Civic Trust.
A survivor from Timaru's old shoreline
The oldest part of what we now call the Landing Service Building was constructed for merchant Peter McRae around 1870 to 1871, primarily as a stone grain store.
By 1875 it had been taken over by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, which enlarged the premises over the following years. The name “Landing Service Building” can be slightly misleading. The stone store was part of a much larger system used before Timaru had an effective artificial harbour. Ships anchored offshore and passengers and goods were transferred through the surf by small boats. The landing services used boats, ropes, cables, haulage equipment, stores and teams of workers to move cargo between the ships and shore.
The stone building stood beside this activity and became closely connected with it.
The sea is now some distance away, but in the nineteenth century this was the waterfront. That makes the building important evidence of how Timaru operated before the harbour reshaped the coastline. It is also believed to be one of the town's oldest surviving commercial buildings and the main surviving structure associated with the early landing services. Over time the store became part of a much larger commercial complex used by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company and later Dalgety and Company. Then, in 1984, its future changed.
1984: the building comes under threat
In 1984 Timaru City Council acquired the former Dalgety property. The site had obvious redevelopment potential, but it also contained one of Timaru's oldest commercial buildings. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust recognised its significance and the building was entered on the historic places register on 6 September 1984.
Registration did not guarantee that the whole building would survive. A Timaru Herald article published on 27 October 1984, headed Preservation sought, shows the debate taking shape. Mayor Helene McIver said the extent to which the building would be retained was still being negotiated. Redevelopment of the site was being considered, and options included retaining the façade or part of the building.
The Historic Places Trust wanted stronger protection. Its director, John Daniels, argued for the importance of retaining the historic fabric of the building. The issue was not as simple as one side wanting demolition and the other wanting preservation. The Council was dealing with a large ageing commercial site, while heritage advocates were concerned about the permanent loss of an important part of Timaru's early history. The Landing Service Building became the focus of that debate.
February 1985: stronger protection
On 11 February 1985, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust placed a Heritage Order over the building. This is an important point in the story because the Timaru Civic Trust did not yet exist. The Historic Places Trust had already identified the building's significance, advocated for its preservation and taken formal steps to protect it. But protection alone did not solve the problem. A future use still had to be found, restoration had to be funded, and someone had to take responsibility for the building.
July 1985: the Timaru Civic Trust is formed
The Landing Service debate came during a wider period of concern about changes to Timaru's central city and the loss or threatened loss of older buildings. In July 1985, concerned citizens held a public meeting and agreed to establish a civic trust for Timaru, modelled on the Christchurch Civic Trust. A local board was elected and a constitution followed. People associated with the Trust's early years included Alan and Ginny Talbot, Wynne and Nan Raymond, Bruce Leadley, Dr Peter Thodey, John Wilson, David Stringer, Tony and Jocelyn Sleigh, and others. Architect David McBride was also a foundation board member and remained involved with the Trust for many years and still a board member in 2026.
Architectural historian Jonathan Mane-Wheoki was another important early supporter. He encouraged the establishment of the Trust, visited Timaru and helped draw attention to the architectural qualities of the city through talks and walking tours. The group brought together people with experience in architecture, local government, heritage, history and community advocacy.
The Trust's purpose. The new organisation had wider aims than saving the Landing Service Building. Its objectives included protecting places of historic interest, encouraging public appreciation of Timaru's character, supporting good architecture and town planning, educating the public and making submissions on issues affecting the city's built environment. The Landing Service Building became its first major challenge. The question was no longer simply whether the building should survive. The Trust also had to consider who would take responsibility for it, how restoration would be funded and what future use could make the building sustainable.
Fundraising and negotiation. Negotiations between the Civic Trust, Timaru City Council and the Historic Places Trust continued for several years. The Civic Trust also began fundraising, so far we have some surviving records that give a useful glimpse of that campaign. In 1987, Waimataitai School pupil Todd Elliote was photographed with Civic Trust committee member Win Parkes in connection with fundraising for the Landing Service Building. A surviving receipt records a $10 donation from Roberta “Bobbie” Ivey and is signed by Wynne Raymond, who was chairman of the Timaru Civic Trust by that time. These records show that the preservation effort had become a community project, supported by ordinary local donations as well as formal heritage advocacy.
Wynne Raymond and the Council connection. Wynne Raymond appears to have been an important figure in the Trust's early years. He was involved in local government as well as the Civic Trust and was serving as chairman of the Trust by 1987. This helps show that the relationship between the Civic Trust and Timaru City Council was more complex than a straightforward dispute between two opposing sides. The Council's position also changed over time.
In 1987 the Council offered the Civic Trust an option to acquire the building.
The Council eventually gifted the building to the Civic Trust, with arrangements made for the Trust to lease the land beneath it. This gave the organisation that had campaigned for the building's preservation direct responsibility for its future.
Restoration and reuse. Ownership was only one part of the task. The old stone building still required substantial restoration, professional advice, new services and a viable use.
Plans associated with architect and design consultant Barrie Bracefield survive in the South Canterbury Museum collection and form part of the documentary record of this work. Restoration and adaptation continued through the late 1980s and 1990s. Rather than preserving the building as a static museum piece, the Trust pursued adaptive reuse.
In 1992, part of the building opened as the Loaded Hog bar and brewery.
Further work followed, and the Landing Service Building was formally reopened in 1997. From the public controversy of 1984 to formal reopening, the process had taken about thirteen years.
Who saved the building? No single organisation can take all the credit. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust recognised the building's significance and used the heritage protection mechanisms available at the time. Timaru City Council owned the property, negotiated over its future and eventually transferred the building to the Civic Trust.
The Timaru Civic Trust kept the preservation effort moving, raised money, negotiated with the Council, accepted ownership and worked towards a viable new use. Architects, historians, heritage specialists, donors and local supporters also contributed. The building survived because those different efforts eventually came together.
The campaign that followed involved the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Timaru City Council, architects, heritage supporters and local residents. It also helped lead to the formation of the Timaru Civic Trust.
A survivor from Timaru's old shoreline
The oldest part of what we now call the Landing Service Building was constructed for merchant Peter McRae around 1870 to 1871, primarily as a stone grain store.
By 1875 it had been taken over by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, which enlarged the premises over the following years. The name “Landing Service Building” can be slightly misleading. The stone store was part of a much larger system used before Timaru had an effective artificial harbour. Ships anchored offshore and passengers and goods were transferred through the surf by small boats. The landing services used boats, ropes, cables, haulage equipment, stores and teams of workers to move cargo between the ships and shore.
The stone building stood beside this activity and became closely connected with it.
The sea is now some distance away, but in the nineteenth century this was the waterfront. That makes the building important evidence of how Timaru operated before the harbour reshaped the coastline. It is also believed to be one of the town's oldest surviving commercial buildings and the main surviving structure associated with the early landing services. Over time the store became part of a much larger commercial complex used by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company and later Dalgety and Company. Then, in 1984, its future changed.
1984: the building comes under threat
In 1984 Timaru City Council acquired the former Dalgety property. The site had obvious redevelopment potential, but it also contained one of Timaru's oldest commercial buildings. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust recognised its significance and the building was entered on the historic places register on 6 September 1984.
Registration did not guarantee that the whole building would survive. A Timaru Herald article published on 27 October 1984, headed Preservation sought, shows the debate taking shape. Mayor Helene McIver said the extent to which the building would be retained was still being negotiated. Redevelopment of the site was being considered, and options included retaining the façade or part of the building.
The Historic Places Trust wanted stronger protection. Its director, John Daniels, argued for the importance of retaining the historic fabric of the building. The issue was not as simple as one side wanting demolition and the other wanting preservation. The Council was dealing with a large ageing commercial site, while heritage advocates were concerned about the permanent loss of an important part of Timaru's early history. The Landing Service Building became the focus of that debate.
February 1985: stronger protection
On 11 February 1985, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust placed a Heritage Order over the building. This is an important point in the story because the Timaru Civic Trust did not yet exist. The Historic Places Trust had already identified the building's significance, advocated for its preservation and taken formal steps to protect it. But protection alone did not solve the problem. A future use still had to be found, restoration had to be funded, and someone had to take responsibility for the building.
July 1985: the Timaru Civic Trust is formed
The Landing Service debate came during a wider period of concern about changes to Timaru's central city and the loss or threatened loss of older buildings. In July 1985, concerned citizens held a public meeting and agreed to establish a civic trust for Timaru, modelled on the Christchurch Civic Trust. A local board was elected and a constitution followed. People associated with the Trust's early years included Alan and Ginny Talbot, Wynne and Nan Raymond, Bruce Leadley, Dr Peter Thodey, John Wilson, David Stringer, Tony and Jocelyn Sleigh, and others. Architect David McBride was also a foundation board member and remained involved with the Trust for many years and still a board member in 2026.
Architectural historian Jonathan Mane-Wheoki was another important early supporter. He encouraged the establishment of the Trust, visited Timaru and helped draw attention to the architectural qualities of the city through talks and walking tours. The group brought together people with experience in architecture, local government, heritage, history and community advocacy.
The Trust's purpose. The new organisation had wider aims than saving the Landing Service Building. Its objectives included protecting places of historic interest, encouraging public appreciation of Timaru's character, supporting good architecture and town planning, educating the public and making submissions on issues affecting the city's built environment. The Landing Service Building became its first major challenge. The question was no longer simply whether the building should survive. The Trust also had to consider who would take responsibility for it, how restoration would be funded and what future use could make the building sustainable.
Fundraising and negotiation. Negotiations between the Civic Trust, Timaru City Council and the Historic Places Trust continued for several years. The Civic Trust also began fundraising, so far we have some surviving records that give a useful glimpse of that campaign. In 1987, Waimataitai School pupil Todd Elliote was photographed with Civic Trust committee member Win Parkes in connection with fundraising for the Landing Service Building. A surviving receipt records a $10 donation from Roberta “Bobbie” Ivey and is signed by Wynne Raymond, who was chairman of the Timaru Civic Trust by that time. These records show that the preservation effort had become a community project, supported by ordinary local donations as well as formal heritage advocacy.
Wynne Raymond and the Council connection. Wynne Raymond appears to have been an important figure in the Trust's early years. He was involved in local government as well as the Civic Trust and was serving as chairman of the Trust by 1987. This helps show that the relationship between the Civic Trust and Timaru City Council was more complex than a straightforward dispute between two opposing sides. The Council's position also changed over time.
In 1987 the Council offered the Civic Trust an option to acquire the building.
The Council eventually gifted the building to the Civic Trust, with arrangements made for the Trust to lease the land beneath it. This gave the organisation that had campaigned for the building's preservation direct responsibility for its future.
Restoration and reuse. Ownership was only one part of the task. The old stone building still required substantial restoration, professional advice, new services and a viable use.
Plans associated with architect and design consultant Barrie Bracefield survive in the South Canterbury Museum collection and form part of the documentary record of this work. Restoration and adaptation continued through the late 1980s and 1990s. Rather than preserving the building as a static museum piece, the Trust pursued adaptive reuse.
In 1992, part of the building opened as the Loaded Hog bar and brewery.
Further work followed, and the Landing Service Building was formally reopened in 1997. From the public controversy of 1984 to formal reopening, the process had taken about thirteen years.
Who saved the building? No single organisation can take all the credit. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust recognised the building's significance and used the heritage protection mechanisms available at the time. Timaru City Council owned the property, negotiated over its future and eventually transferred the building to the Civic Trust.
The Timaru Civic Trust kept the preservation effort moving, raised money, negotiated with the Council, accepted ownership and worked towards a viable new use. Architects, historians, heritage specialists, donors and local supporters also contributed. The building survived because those different efforts eventually came together.
Preservation sought (27 Oct 1984). – Timaru Herald. Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 17/09/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/676
Tourism and business development consultant John Hartstonge at the Landing Services 24 Jan 1986 - South Canterbury Museum 20121864022
Timaru District Mayor Wynne Raymond posed on a velocipede possibly at the Timaru Landing Service building, circa 1992. South Canterbury Museum 2012/186.8097
https://timdc.pastperfectonline.com/photo/424D7849-6C59-4A85-982B-242480371949
https://timdc.pastperfectonline.com/photo/424D7849-6C59-4A85-982B-242480371949
Timaru Civic Trust Plaques - Landing Service Building
Timaru City Council bought the former Dalgety property in 1984. The first portion was built by Peter McRae in about 1870 to 1871. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company had taken it over by 1875 and enlarged it in 1875 to 1876. The building eventually became embedded inside the much larger Loan and Mercantile and later Dalgety warehouse complex. The Landing Service Building was entered on the Historic Places Trust register on 6 September 1984. By October the council was considering redevelopment of the site and the possibility of demolishing at least part of the building. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust was pressing for substantially more protection. In February 1985 it imposed a Heritage Order over the building. The local controversy that followed was one of the circumstances from which the Timaru Civic Trust emerged in July 1985.
c1987 Landing Service Building fundraising Todd Elliote and Win Parkes
Waimataitai School pupil, Todd Elliote and Civic Trust Committee member Win Parkes posed holding a certificate for the fund raiser for the Landing Service Building, circa 1987.
South Canterbury Museum 20121867566
Waimataitai School pupil, Todd Elliote and Civic Trust Committee member Win Parkes posed holding a certificate for the fund raiser for the Landing Service Building, circa 1987.
South Canterbury Museum 20121867566
|
A certificate or receipt : $10 donation to the Timaru Civic Trust, part of the Fundraising for the Landing Service Building, 1987, from Roberta (Bobbie) Ivey.
Signed and dated by chairman, Wynne Raymond South Canterbury Museum 2019/035.05 |
Jocelyn Sleigh posed with a selection of knitted garments, 9 April 1992. South Canterbury Museum 2012/186.9090
c2000 Former Landing Services store - South Canterbury Museum - 201400410
This early store house constructed of bluestone stands opposite the original shoreline and was built in 1870 by Peter McRae. He was the owner of the Club Hotel on the corner of George and Stafford street. He borrow 700 pounds and began to build the front section of the building. The original part has three arched portals to east, two-storied and built in blocks of the local bluestone with a hipped roof.
The Landing Service Building (former) is a highly significant part of Timaru's history and probably Timaru's oldest surviving commercial building. It is the only survivor of the early landing services that operated from the beachfront prior to the construction of the artificial harbour, which were vital to the establishment and development of Timaru. The building indicates the historical line of the beach at Timaru, now a substantial distance away and is believed to be the only landing service building still extant in New Zealand. It was used as a warehouse for over 100 years and is a good example of nineteenth-century masonry construction in the local bluestone.
Henry Le Cren and Captain Cain initiated the first commercial landing and shipping service in Timaru 200m north at the foot of Strathallan St. This service helped land the 120 immigrants that sailed direct from the UK to Timaru on the Strathallan in 1859. In 1864 the provincial Government took over the service and the first direct shipment of wool left to Britain on the May Queen that year.
A competitive service was established beside the original Rhodes cottage. It was used by Timaru Landing and Shipping Company. The directors were G.G. Russell, F. Le Cren, R. Turnbull and J. Mendelson. Captain Cain was the manager. Until the breakwater was built in 1881, drays off loaded grain onto the first floor, to then load onto surf boats in front of the building. The Loan and Merc then Dalgety Ltd used it as a store for over a century.
Significant elements include dressed bluestone walls, and doorway arches. Lantern and dormer window.
The Landing Service Building (former) is a highly significant part of Timaru's history and probably Timaru's oldest surviving commercial building. It is the only survivor of the early landing services that operated from the beachfront prior to the construction of the artificial harbour, which were vital to the establishment and development of Timaru. The building indicates the historical line of the beach at Timaru, now a substantial distance away and is believed to be the only landing service building still extant in New Zealand. It was used as a warehouse for over 100 years and is a good example of nineteenth-century masonry construction in the local bluestone.
Henry Le Cren and Captain Cain initiated the first commercial landing and shipping service in Timaru 200m north at the foot of Strathallan St. This service helped land the 120 immigrants that sailed direct from the UK to Timaru on the Strathallan in 1859. In 1864 the provincial Government took over the service and the first direct shipment of wool left to Britain on the May Queen that year.
A competitive service was established beside the original Rhodes cottage. It was used by Timaru Landing and Shipping Company. The directors were G.G. Russell, F. Le Cren, R. Turnbull and J. Mendelson. Captain Cain was the manager. Until the breakwater was built in 1881, drays off loaded grain onto the first floor, to then load onto surf boats in front of the building. The Loan and Merc then Dalgety Ltd used it as a store for over a century.
Significant elements include dressed bluestone walls, and doorway arches. Lantern and dormer window.
(Former McRae’s Stone Store)
2 George St and Station St
LN:326 C:1
c 1871
Architect is unknown, possibly W Williamson
Not long after Timaru began to grow it became evident that the town and district needed better facilities to land and dispatch goods. The first major plan was drawn up by Otago Marine Engineer J M Balfour in the mid 1960s. By 1868 the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works was set up. Control of the foreshore was vested in the new board and in 1870 a groyne was built out the front of the beach but was swept away in a storm. In 1870s English engineer proposed building an island but Harbour Board opted for an alternative prepared by J M Goodall for a solid mole made of concrete blocks. The first breakwater was built in 1878-79 near the foot of Strathallan Street. Today the who structure is burred under accumulations of shingle. By 1887 and 1890 the first north mole was constructed to stop sand drifting back into the harbour. This then started to accumulate and build out to form Caroline Bay. Rock for this breakwater was brought by tramway from quarries near Gleniti which can still be seen at Centennial Park. Building the harbour caused dramatic changed to the coastline including the accumulation of shingle in front of the landing services building. It was once at the shore line and now stands over 400m from the sea. - New Zealand Historic Places Magazine, p8 May 1994
2 George St and Station St
LN:326 C:1
c 1871
Architect is unknown, possibly W Williamson
Not long after Timaru began to grow it became evident that the town and district needed better facilities to land and dispatch goods. The first major plan was drawn up by Otago Marine Engineer J M Balfour in the mid 1960s. By 1868 the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works was set up. Control of the foreshore was vested in the new board and in 1870 a groyne was built out the front of the beach but was swept away in a storm. In 1870s English engineer proposed building an island but Harbour Board opted for an alternative prepared by J M Goodall for a solid mole made of concrete blocks. The first breakwater was built in 1878-79 near the foot of Strathallan Street. Today the who structure is burred under accumulations of shingle. By 1887 and 1890 the first north mole was constructed to stop sand drifting back into the harbour. This then started to accumulate and build out to form Caroline Bay. Rock for this breakwater was brought by tramway from quarries near Gleniti which can still be seen at Centennial Park. Building the harbour caused dramatic changed to the coastline including the accumulation of shingle in front of the landing services building. It was once at the shore line and now stands over 400m from the sea. - New Zealand Historic Places Magazine, p8 May 1994
Turnbull street - Fire and Accident Underwriters Association block plans Timaru township 1959 - South Canterbury Museum 200200506b-10
https://timdc.pastperfectonline.com/archive/7FF6D8F5-F549-4C34-A0C3-449616265088
https://timdc.pastperfectonline.com/archive/7FF6D8F5-F549-4C34-A0C3-449616265088
Here you can see the boat launch at the foot of George Street, the Landings Service Building and beside it the Rhodes cottage. Hocken Snapshop hocken.recollect.co.nz/24023
1871 First Bay Built for Landing Service Building
Landing Service Building (Former) No. 326. C1. 2 George St. First bay built in 1871. Timaru had a landing services building owned by the Government which was run by Captain Cain. Cain went on to build a competitive service with Le Cren out of blue stone with high arches to winch boats through. It become redundant when the first breakwater was built and was then used for nearly a century by the "Loan and Merc" and then Dalgety Ltd to store goods. It’s the only example in Australasia. Here you will find the statue of Captain Cain, the second Mayor Timaru. The towns population was around 3000 when he was poisoned by his greedy son-in-law.
1871 First Bay Built for Landing Service Building
Landing Service Building (Former) No. 326. C1. 2 George St. First bay built in 1871. Timaru had a landing services building owned by the Government which was run by Captain Cain. Cain went on to build a competitive service with Le Cren out of blue stone with high arches to winch boats through. It become redundant when the first breakwater was built and was then used for nearly a century by the "Loan and Merc" and then Dalgety Ltd to store goods. It’s the only example in Australasia. Here you will find the statue of Captain Cain, the second Mayor Timaru. The towns population was around 3000 when he was poisoned by his greedy son-in-law.
Photograph of the foot of George Street, Timaru, circa 1868. The building is pictured in the centre is a landing service building (either the Timaru Landing and Shipping Company or the George Street Landing Service), while Rhodes' original cottage is to the left. South Canterbury Museum 2000/210.095
1873 Landing terrace for Timaru Shipping Company, Timaru. Creator of Collection Unknown : Photographs of Timaru by Ferrier. Ref: 1/2-005348-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23134416
The sketch is from the Alexander Turnbull Library harbour sketch is from the Alexander Turnbull Library
Landing Service Building (McRae's Grain Store), Timaru, Plans - Barrie Bracefield, architect and design consultant. South Canterbury Museum 2018/094.03
