THE OLD CUSTOMHOUSE
AHURIRI, NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND.
Built in 1895, this was the third Customhouse at Port Ahuriri, Napier.
The Napier Harbour Board purchased and restored the building in 1988.
The Old Customhouse Trust was formed in 1989 to administer and maintain this historic building.
This sign mounted outside the building explains it's history.
In front of the building stands a tripot. It was reclaimed from an old coastal whaling station where it was used
for rendering down whale blubber.
At the western end of the building are these two buckets from the steam dredge "Whakarire", which
worked both in the Ahuriri channel and at the main breakwater port.
This sailing ship's anchor, mounted at the eastern end of the building, was dredged up from the inner channel to the
original port of Ahuriri.
The Old Customhouse is available for rental and is ideally suited to small group meetings or displays.
Below are photographs of the "Long Room" which can comfortably seat thirty people. Direct access to kitchen and toilet facilities
are from this room.
(Click on the pictures to see a larger version)
A Museum with an extensive collection of both Customs and maritime artifacts and photographs is housed in the Old Customhouse.
Visits to this Museum can be arranged by appointment with the Secretary of the Trust.
(Click on the picture above to see a larger version)
For any further information or for "Long Room" booking requests, contact the Custodian, Mr Colin Hinks, phone Napier (06) 8420495.
This web page is sponsored by www.ship-photos.com.
The Hawkes Bay Branch, NZSM, website is here.