The Old Cement Works - Warkworth, North Island, New Zealand
S 36° 24.538 E 174° 40.902
60H E 292124 N 5968192
Take a wander around The Old Cement Works at the end of Wilson Rd, Warkworth.
Waymark Code: WM9JY4
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 08/27/2010
Views: 2
Register Number
82
Registration Type
Historic Place - Category I
Region
Auckland Region
Date Registered
23-Jun-1983
City/District Council
* Rodney District Council
Legal Description
Lot 1 DP 146840 Flat DP 146840Blk VII Mahurangi SD
Other Names
* Wilsons (NZ) Portland Cement Ltd
Brief History
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration.
The pioneer in Portland Cement manufacture in New Zealand was Nathaniel Wilson. In 1866 he began manufacturing hydrahlic lime near Warkworth and after experimenting with Portland cement in 1883, greatly expanded the plant in the following year to begin manufacturing this product.
After overcoming some initial local opposition to his cement, Wilson's business expanded and in 1903 it employed 180 workmen with an output of 20,320 tonnes per annum. It was in this year that the large unreinforced concrete building which forms the most important part of the ruin was erected. Despite its dilapidated state this structure is still an impressive sight with walls 228mm thick, 12m high and 18.3m in length.
The works at Warkworth were closed down in 1928 and plant moved to the new site in Whangarei Harbour where Wilson's Portland Cement is still made.
Today the whole complex makes a picturesque ruin next to the lake formed by the flooded quarry alongside. As the remains of the first Portland cement works in the southern hemisphere, the ruin is of undoubted historical significance and in terms of industrial archaeology being a testament to the pioneering efforts of Nathaniel Wilson in this field.
Former Use
* Manufacturing and Processing - Manufacturing & Processing - other
Construction Dates
* Original Construction: 1866
Date location was entrusted to the New Zealand Historic places: 06/23/1983
Type of history commemorated (short description):
Manufacturing and processing of cement
Website pertaining to the location: [Web Link]
Town, city, or region nearest to the site:
Warkworth
Year placed: 1866
Admission fees if any: 5.00 (listed in local currency)
Hours of operation:
Daily 10am - 6pm
Is it accessible to the general public:
Yes - during opening hours
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