Introducing The Paekakariki Station Precinct Trust
Paekakariki is a North Island Main Trunk town that is very rich in railway history.  During the early years the town was occupied by Wellington Manawatu Railway Company employees, and later on, a great number of Railway personnel.  The first school was built in 1886 with the coming of the Railway and the Surf club was established in the early days by railway people.  Many of the town inhabitants are still today either ex railway or come from railway families.  There are only few current railway employees left at Paekakariki.

During 1992 rumour had it that the Paekakariki station was either going to be physically bulldozed or downsized.  The station building itself is a famous Paekakariki landmark and local town folk were abhorred with the thought of a small shelter and any other radical alteration that would change the whole look of the town.  Besides, the railway station was constructed in 1910 and has a rich history, especially with the refreshment rooms of days gone by.  In nearby Ames Street stood a 17 room hostel, especially built for the refresh girls.  The old hostel which served as a railway house in later years was destroyed by fire  in recent times.  Some two or three years ago, the old lamp room and electric drivers room in the station were damaged in an arson attempt.  Fortunately the local volunteer fire brigade were on the job very quickly and the old station building was saved.
 

Paekakariki once had a locomotive depot, the site now being occupied by Steam Incorporated.  Long gone too is the hut settlement and Wellington Manawatu Railway social hall which stood opposite Steam Incorporated's site.  Paekakariki's bank engine finished in the 1980's, although electric units are still stabled in the yard overnight, there is only a small crew of drivers and guards left at Paekakariki.  Across the tracks from Steam Incorporated is a modern signals depot, also with only a small handful of people based there. The whole yard once contained many railway houses, the earliest ones being built by the Wellington Manawatu Railway Company, These too are long gone, with the very last constructed NZR houses being removed in the 1980's. 

The old signal box which is soon to be restored and re-located back to the south end of the station platform  Photo : Courtesy Kapiti Mail  
 
It was therefore essential that what was left of the townships railway heritage somehow be preserved, and it made good sense if the Steam Incorporated site, the west yard and the station could somehow be incorporated into one large precinct, at least something would be left of the days gone by, as well as the potential for major tourism industry.  Paekakariki also has a very popular swimming/surfing beach and Queen Elizabeth Park, all within walking distance from the station.  There is also no shortage of accommodation in the township.

Eventually a Trust was formed with trustees being appointed from Steam Incorporated, Paekakariki Business Association, Tranz Rail Ltd, Kapiti Coast District Council, Kapiti Historical Society, Paekakariki Maori Committee, and two publicly elected community trustees.

On the 13th August 1993 the Paekakariki Station Precinct Trust was formally registered as a charitable trust.  In addition to the main trust, a group of Friends was established for anyone that wishes to help or just belong.  With support from the Department of labour Employment services  and the Kapiti Coast Development and Promotion Ltd and local groups, the Dream very quickly became a reality.  The different projects are:

*          Restoration of the station building.
*          Total landscaping of the area and building picket fences surround the precinct.
*          Erection of pedestrian overbridge from the station to the carpark and to Steam Incorporated.
*          Restoration of the Signal Box and re-location to the original site.
*          Establishment of a jigger track.
*          Construction of a viewing platform within Steam Incorporated's Engineshed.

At the north end of the station an overbridge will cross from the Yard-Station-Steam Incorporated, will be a carpark and a fenced off children's playground.  A jigger track will run from the village to this area.

With the help of Rail Heritage Trust the floor boards have been completely renewed and the building replied.  The flooring job was a major task, as it was discovered that the station had been built with the floor lying straight on top of the dirt.  There was no space for air circulation or drainage.  Before the floor boards could be laid the whole area had to be dug out, with large amounts of dirt being removed to allow for adequate space underneath the floor boards.  The original wall, floors, and ceiling were beautifully constructed in native tongue and groove timber.  All wiring, including underfloor, has been completely renewed and new plumbing installed, with the addition of three new toilets.
 
   
The Paekakariki Station Precinct Trust is very fortunate  having also obtained grants from the tourism board, Trust Bank, and Lotteries Board, which will enable completion of the Station interior.

The Trust has purchased a railway overbridge  from Hornby, with free railage being granted by NZ Rail Ltd (Tranz Rail Ltd).  The free railage indicated just how serious railways takes the safety of people around its mainlines - very seriously indeed, a gesture that was very much appreciated by the Trust.  This bridge which is presently being stored at Steam Incorporated, will span from the west side of the yard to the station, and will make the area a lot safer.  We are hoping to procure another bridge from the Auckland area to span  between the station and Steam Incorporated.  The design and age of these bridges are from the same era as the railway station.

 

Paekakariki Station Precinct Trust's, Station Building

Steam Incorporated, as well as local people, have a large display of railway items which are loaned to the Trust, including jiggers, very old points machines, signal panels, tablet machines, semaphore arms, tickets, crockery and many other items, too many to mention.  The Trust also hold open days in conjunction with Steam Incorporated.

Eventually, when sufficient funds are raised, landscaping and fencing will extend from the station, over Steam Incorporated's site, to make the complete precinct area both attractive and marketable.  In addition there is scope for the two groups to pool together and work as one.  This will lead to the goal of providing full time employment within Paekakariki.  Steam Incorporated is listed as one of the station's major sponsors, and is hoped to build further on this relationship.

Christine Johnson.

Steam Incorporated's J 1234 steam locomotive brings another train load of passengers to the Station