A Memorial to the New Zealand Tunnelling Company

Why a Tunnelling Company Memorial?

The New Zealand Tunnelling Company existed only during World War One. It is unique in our country's military history.

On the Western Front they were:

• First On.
• Last Off.
• the first unit to record a death.
• drawn from thoroughout New Zealand to serve overseas.
• given a unique role in the story of tunnelling.
• responsible for erecting the longest self-supporting single span bridge.

When the tunnellers came home they were largely forgotten. They received no big parades or large civic receptions.The tunnellers returned to their home towns and their everyday jobs.Their skills were urgently needed, and many returned to the jobs throughout the country that they had left at the beginning of the war. Unlike many Companies which have memorials or plaques, or are remembered in some way in the district they came from, in its own country, the New Zealand Tunnelling Company has nothing.

We plan to change that. Waihi and the Hauraki Goldfields has a large number of Tunnelling Company enlistments. We like to call Waihi the 'Home of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company', and given the town's long and continued association with mining, we think it's the right place to erect a Tunnelling Company Memorial, not just for Waihi, but for New Zealand.

Memorials provide a tangible and immediate focal point for a sense of national identity, as sites for commemoration and remembrance of those who served in times of war, and for the recognition of the relationships New Zealand has forged with other countries through a shared military heritage. The New Zealand Tunnelling Company memorial will highlight our rich mining heritage and the contribution of miners as well as all Tunnelling Company enlistments to the First World War effort.

We have worked with Hauraki District Council, Newmont Waihi Gold, Waihi Heritage Vision and other interested parties and have identified a suitable location and an appropriate memorial design. Fundraising is almost complete. Waihi Heritage Vision, a GST registered incorporated society with charitable status, is holding all money raised our behalf. Significant funding has been received from the Lotteries Commission WW1 Commemorations Fund. We have also received funding from a range of charitable trusts. Businesses have contributed money and in kind goods and services.

Newmont Waihi Gold has generously agreed to provide funding towards the memorial wall structure, the engineer’s report for the memorial, and also pay for a marquee on the dedication day. Lotteries WW1 Committee has agreed to fund the bulk of the soldier statue that will stand beside the large T memorial in addition to the funds they have already provided for the memorial itself.

This is all in addition to the funds we have received from the Valder Trust, First Sovereign Trust, Veterans’ Affairs, IPENZ, Opus, and in kind assistance from BGH Group and Hauraki District Council.

Tunnelling Company descendant and supporter sponsorship is now requested. A donation of any size would assist with our plans to deliver both a fitting Tunnelling Company memorial as well as a memorable event.

Contributions over $500 will be acknowledged on a sponsor's panel in the memorial area.

Waihi Heritage Vision Incorporated is a registered charity (Registration Number is CC50926) and GST registered. Donations are tax deductible.

Details for donations.

Waihi Heritage Vision Bank Account: 38-9006-0516033-02
Reference: Tunnelling Company

A receipt will be supplied on request. Email WHV treasurer/secretary Warwick Buckman; [email protected]

Many thanks to those individuals and families who have already provided financial assistance.


Design
The memorial has been designed by Nicholas Brumder at Waihi Metal Studio.The primary design theme is a T shaped 7.5 metre structure designed to integrate with the natural surroundings and seating included in the Miners Reflective Area for which funding has already been secured. The design is scalable, and could be constructed at 5 metres or 6 metres

The design uses quality materials and fixtures designed to suit the location both aesthetically and in terms of durability. Materials, surfaces and finishes have been selected to discourage graffiti and to minimize ongoing cleaning and maintenance costs.

The memorial finish is a graphite spray over etch-primed galvanizing which will have a very natural colour and be slippery to hinder climbing. The graphite is a very persistent finish over galvanizing. This will be further coloured with earth pigments applied to highlight the forms and give warm earth tones like the natural stone to be used around the platform.




L ocation
The memorial will be situated on a slight rise next to a grove of trees at Gilmour Lake in Waihi. It is within the site lines of the George Street entrance and commands a view over the Miners' Reflective Area. The memorial height complements Union Hill and Black Hill which form a natural background. When approaching from the main Gilmour Lake entrance, the pathway borders the trees behind which the memorial is revealed. An avenue of 29 kowhai trees will lead from the George Street entrance of the park to the memorial.

These three items - the avenue of kowhais, the Miners' Reflective Area seating and the Tunnelling Company memorial each inform, complement and support each other.

The 29 kowhais are a reminder of the recent Pike River mine disaster. The Miners' Reflective Area seating is recognition of the over 130 years of mining history the Waihi region and Hauraki Goldfields share, while the Tunnelling Company memorial reminds us of those miners, engineers, quarrymen and more who used their skills in times of war.

For further information about the memorial to the New Zealand Tunnelling Company click here. (0.5MB PDF)