Lichfield, New Zealand Explained

Lichfield
Area Code:07
Postal Code:3482
Utc Offset Dst:+13
Timezone Dst:NZDT
Utc Offset:+12
Timezone:NZST
Postal Code Type:Postcode
Population As Of:2018
Elevation M:237
Seat:Taupō (general)
Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)
Seat Type:Electorate
Subdivision Name2:South Waikato District
Subdivision Type2:Territorial authority
Subdivision Name1:Waikato
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name:New Zealand
Subdivision Type:Country
Pushpin Label Position:left
Coordinates:-38.1067°N 175.8113°W
Population Rural:174

Lichfield is a rural settlement in the South Waikato District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.[1]

The community is centred around the Lichfield Fonterra facility, which opened in 1995.[2] The factory features the largest cheese factory in the southern hemisphere,[3] consisting of separate dry salt and brine salt plants.[4] It also features the largest milk dryer in the world,[5] installed during a major expansion in 2016.[6] The dryer can process 30 metric tonnes of milk every hour, and store 40,000 metric tonnes of whole milk powder. The dryer is used during the peak season, with production varying based on prices.[7] The Fonterra site employs 330 people, with extra staff being stationed there during installations. Almost 90% of the output travels by rail from a covered siding at the factory.[8]

The local Lichfields Lands farm converted from sheep to dairy and beef farming in the 1960s.[9] It is now an Open Brethren operation,[10] donating its proceeds to charity.[11]

South African-born artist Sonnett Olls opened an art gallery in Lichfield in 2019.[12]

A Red Cross health shuttle transports Lichfield residents to health appointments in Tīrau.[13]

History

In 1884 Lichfield was planned as a city of 8,000 people, on over 700 lots, at the centre of 80000ha, purchased from Ngāti Raukawa by the speculative Patetere Land Association.[14] In 1882, at a time when the Rotorua railway was planned to pass through Lichfield,[15] they formed a company in London to encourage settlers[16] and construction of the 67.28km (41.81miles) railway link from Morrinsville began the same year.[17] The attempt failed.[18] Another was made to sell lots for a town in 1905.[19]

Education

Lichfield School is a co-educational state primary school,[20] [21] with a roll of as of [22]

Railway

Railway station

Lichfield railway station opened in 1886, closed on 1 March 1897,[23] was reopened by Taupo Totara Timber Company in September 1905, closed on 26 October 1944, reopened on 12 June 1950, and closed on 6 August 1978, but the Kinleith Branch continues to carry freight.[24]

Work on the extension from Oxford (Tīrau) to Lichfield started in 1883.[25] The Thames Valley and Rotorua Railway directors inspected the route and stayed at Lichfield in October 1883.[26] The line reached Oxford (Tīrau) on 8 March 1886 and was extended to Lichfield on Monday 21 June 1886. New Zealand Railways Department (NZR) took over the line on 1 April 1886.

By August 1886 there were 2 cottages, a 60feet by 20feet engine shed, coal shed (23ft x 15ft, 50 ton capacity), brick water tower (see below), urinals, 60feet by 30feet goods shed and stationmaster's house. From 1886 to 1892 there was a Post Office at the station. By 1892 traffic to and from Lichfield had fallen off rapidly, with opening of part of the Rotorua line. From 17 September 1892 Lichfield was demoted to a flag station, though it still had a 4th class station, platform, cart approach, goods shed, cattle yards and urinals in 1896.

The line was lifted in 1898, leaving only the earthworks.[27]

Taupo Totara Timber Company Railway

See main article: Taupo Totara Timber Railway.

In the early 1900s the Taupo Totara Timber Company (TTT) acquired bush blocks north and north-west of Lake Taupō and erected a sawmill at Mokai. The company built a 51miles railway between Mokai and Putāruru, where it connected with the NZ Government Railway.The 8km (05miles) northern section between Putāruru and Lichfield was built on the formation of the former Lichfield Branch line.[28]

The TTT railway opened in 1905[29] as a private carrier, carrying TTT staff and their families, guests,[30] [31] [32] [33] freight, and mail[34] [35] between Putāruru and Mokai. From January 29, 1908, the TTT Railway opened its freight and passenger[36] services to the public.

New Zealand Railways Kinleith Branch

The NZ Government purchased a 19miles section of the TTT Railway, from Putāruru to the "19-Mile Peg", near the present-day location of the Kinleith Paper Mill south of Tokoroa.[37] From Tuesday, 10 June 1947, the NZ Government took over the operation of this part of the TTT line.[38]

This section of railway was reconstructed to serve the new Kinleith Mill for pulp and paper production.[39] The project was completed on 6 October 1952.

By 1949 Lichfield was again a terminus of the line, with a shelter shed (16ft x 10ft), a (20ft x 16ft) prefabricated army building from Claudelands, used as temporary office accommodation, and a passing loop for 64 wagons.

There was again speculation that Lichfield would grow[40] and, from Monday 12 June 1950, the station reopened for parcels and goods. A 30feet by 12feet goods shed, with verandah, was moved from Karangahake to Lichfield and a 40feet long loading bank, with ramped ends, was built. The tramway to the south was straightened[41] [42] and by 12 November 1951 the line was sufficiently ballasted to allow trains to run at 15mph. The offices were then moved to Tokoroa.

In 1959 the gent's convenience was in a bad state of repair and was removed. By 1960 the goods shed floor and weatherboards were decayed, the windows broken and the doors lying on the floor, so it was demolished. By 1970 the station was little used and it closed to all traffic from Sunday 6 August 1978. It was then used for the storage of wagons. A single track, loading bank, water tower and sheds remain.[43]

Heritage

Listed buildings

Lichfield has four buildings with NZHPT Category II listing -

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hariss . Gavin . Lichfield, Waikato . topomap.co.nz . NZ Topo Map.
  2. News: Fonterra officially opens world's joint largest milk powder dryer at Lichfield . fonterra.com . . 2 December 2016.
  3. Web site: The big cheese of Lichfield . newzealand.com . Tourism New Zealand.
  4. News: Kissun . Sudesh . Gold for Lichfield . Dairy News . Rural News Group . 25 September 2018.
  5. News: 4.4 million-litre boost from Lichfield dryer . . . 19 September 2016.
  6. News: Ferguson . Frances . Fonterra's Lichfield expansion brings jobs to the region . . . 16 February 2016.
  7. News: Another big costly whole-milk powder plant off Fonterra's menu . Business Herald . . 1 July 2018.
  8. Web site: Sep 2016. SH1 Piarere to Taupō recommended programme business case. NZTA.
  9. News: Kirkeby . Luke . Prominent Waikato farmer dies within days of vacation cancer diagnoses . . . 11 January 2019.
  10. News: Nippert . Matt . Brethren charities worth $300m under investigation . . . 8 July 2017.
  11. News: Kirkey . Luke . Director leaves farm empire for prison ministry . . . 1 March 2017.
  12. News: Kirkeby . Luke . World renowned artist opens Waikato gallery . . . 9 April 2019.
  13. News: Kirkeby . Luke . Putaruru health shuttle feels Tokoroa pressure . . . 26 September 2018.
  14. Web site: Stone Store (Former). 2021-04-26. www.heritage.org.nz.
  15. Web site: 25 Jul 1882. A TRIP THROUGH THE PATETERE COUNTRY, WAIKATO TIMES. 2021-04-27. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  16. Web site: 13 Mar 1883. THE THAMES VALLEY AND ROTORUA RAILWAY COMPANY. WAIKATO TIMES. 2021-04-27. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  17. Web site: 14 Mar 1884. THE THAMES VALLEY AND ROTORUA RAILWAY COMPANY. NEW ZEALAND HERALD. 2021-04-27. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  18. Web site: 11 Sep 1905. TAUPO TOTARA TIMBER COMPANY. WAIKATO ARGUS. 2021-04-27. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  19. Web site: 2 Nov 1905. Plan of southern portion, Selwyn settlement, Piako County.. 2021-04-26. kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz. en.
  20. Web site: Lichfield School Official School Website. lichfield.school.nz.
  21. Web site: Lichfield School Ministry of Education School Profile. educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  22. Web site: Lichfield School Education Review Office Report. ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  23. Web site: Stations. 2020-08-10. NZR Rolling Stock Lists. en.
  24. Web site: Scoble. Juliet. 2010. Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations. Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand.
  25. Web site: 6 Oct 1883. COMMENTS. WAIKATO TIMES. 2021-04-27. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  26. Web site: 23 Oct 1883. THAMES VALLEY and ROTORUA RAILWAY. TOUR OF INSPECTION BY THE DIRECTORS. WAIKATO TIMES. 2021-04-27. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  27. Book: Scherer . Vicki . Putaruru: Home of the Owl . 1992 . South Waikato District Council . Tokoroa, NZ . 20.
  28. Stanley W.. Jones. The Taupo Totara Timber Co.. New Zealand Engineering. 12/7. 1957. 237.
  29. News: The Taupo Totara Timber Company . 25 Jun 2024 . Waikato Argus . 10 Nov 1905. 2 .
  30. News: A Big Private Enterprise: Line Built by the Taupo Totara Timber Company to Connect Their Mill with the Government Railway . 5 June 2024 . New Zealand Graphic . 26 August 1905 . 23, 36, 37.
  31. News: Visit to Taupo Totara Timber Co's Mill at Mokai . 5 June 2024 . New Zealand Graphic . 2 September 1905 . 24-29.
  32. News: Taupo Totara Timber Company: An Important Industry . 25 June 2024 . Waikato Argus . 11 September 1905 . 2.
  33. News: Taupo Totara Timber Company: An Important Industry (concluded). 25 June 2024 . Waikato Argus . 12 September 1905 . 4.
  34. Book: The Taupo Totara Timber Company Limited minutes 1901 - 1907 . 1907 . The Taupo Totara Timber Company Limited . Wellington, NZ . 283, 284.
  35. Book: AJHR, 1907 Section F-3: Inland Mail-Services, 1907-1908 . 1907 . Government Printer . Wellington, NZ . 3.
  36. News: Putāruru to Mokai: A New Route to Taupo: Auckland Highlands: Timber Milling Enterprise No. I . NZ Herald . 29 May 1908 . 7 . 22 June 2024.
  37. News: Government Buys Railway . 18 Oct 1946 . Waikato Independent . 2 . 18 Aug 2024 .
  38. News: T.T.T. Line: Government Takes Portion: To Serve Hydro Projects . 20 Aug 2024 . Putaruru Press . 12 Jun 1947.
  39. News: T.T.T. Line . Putaruru Press . 20 January 1949 . 8 . 8 June 2024.
  40. Web site: 25 Jul 1949. THE GOOD OLD DAYS. WAIKATO INDEPENDENT. 2021-04-27. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  41. Web site: 1947. 1:63360 map Sheet: N75 Arapuni. 2021-04-27. www.mapspast.org.nz.
  42. Web site: Map sheet BE35 - Putaruru. 2021-04-27. NZ Topo Map. en.
  43. Web site: Jun 2020. 2923 State Hwy 1. 2021-04-26. Google Maps. en.
  44. Web site: Water Tower. 2021-04-26. www.heritage.org.nz.
  45. Web site: John Blake - Graces Guide. 2021-04-27. www.gracesguide.co.uk.
  46. Web site: 28 May 2015. Operative District Plan - South Waikato Heritage Inventory Records HINV06: Lichfield Water Tower.
  47. Web site: Skimming Factory (Former). 2021-04-26. www.heritage.org.nz.
  48. Web site: 28 May 2015. Operative District Plan - South Waikato Heritage Inventory Records HINV05: Skimming Factory.
  49. Web site: Bakehouse. 2021-04-26. www.heritage.org.nz.
  50. Web site: 28 May 2015. Operative District Plan - South Waikato Heritage Inventory Records HINV04: Bake House - Dairy.
  51. Web site: Feb 2010. Pepperill Rd. 2021-04-26. Google Maps. en.