Historic Carkeek Observatory protection work begun

By Ray Lilley

Work to preserve and protect New Zealand’s oldest astronomic observatory is under way, with conservation architects working on shelter design and the scope of work required to protect the 156-year-old timber structure into the future. 

Heritage New Zealand designated the crumbling totara-clad building a Class 1 Historic Place in July 2020.

Located off Murphy’s Line Road in  South Featherston, the historic observatory was built by then-retiree Stephen Carkeek on his sheep farm and only re-discovered _ in rundown  state _ by a small group of astronomy buffs in the 1990s.

It faded from memories again till the then Martinborough Dark Sky Association (now Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve) helped resurface memories of the historic _ but unvisited and unloved _ landmark.  

The historic building, sited in the South Wairarapa District Council’s territory, won historic place status, as Heritage New Zealand noted: “our Board has decided that Carkeek Observatory has sufficient significance to be entered on the (Historic Places) List as a Category 1 Historic Place.”

With that designation came a virtual directive from Heritage New Zealand:

“Properties on the (Heritage) List should be conserved for the future. Our recommendation for this property are: scheduling on the Wairarapa Combined District Plan and the preparation of a conservation plan to guide the conservation and stablisation (sic) of the Carkeek Observatory as a ruin and an archaeological site.” 

SWDC became the effective protector of the decaying premises, while Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve saw itself as its kaitiaki (guardians). 

Plans to preserve and protect what remains of Carkeek’s observatory were put in hand post-Covid, with the council devoting cash and resource to the project.

At this point, the council and architects report they have chosen “an octagonal shape that lends itself to the original design of the observatory” to build over and around the ruins to protect them from the weather while allowing good air flow. 

A second stage of detailed sketches and “indicative costs” is currently nearing completion. 

Council staffer overseeing the project, James O’Connor, has set out three further stages before the protection will be in place, noting that “these stages will commence soon once Stage two is complete:”

*archaeological authority – briefing for archaeologist and associated work; 

*resource consent, and building consent;

*running tender and construction contract.

The original timetable for construction to begin was the end of May.