News from Westland Industrial Heritage Park
We sometimes think that some of our projects are taking forever and will never be completed but often visitors who have been before remark on how much has changed and how good the Park is looking. This is great as it gives us a boost and people show their appreciation for what we are doing with very generous donations. Without that support we could not continue.
The progress of our projects is always affected by our ability to fund them but even more significant is our limited human resource. We have quite a small group of active volunteers to work on physical projects and look after our visitors and most of us are getting advanced in years!
As well as the usual Saturday and Wednesday openings we have had several additional events including the local annual wood chopping competition and a visit from the Deer Cullers group. Both were successful. We also assisted with Fire Engine and Tractor rides on Children’s Day at Cass Square, organised by Dr. Anna and the Hokitika Community Trust (HCT). The biggest event, also organised by HCT, was the Easter Egg hunt at the Park. Apart from providing the site, we provided train and tractor rides and helped with the hunt. It was planned as a multi-day event, but the weather threatened to spoil it and we even considered cancelling. However, we went ahead and despite some inclement weather the resilience of our patrons and the lure of hidden Easter eggs won out and it was very successful.
A number of items belonging to the Hokitika Museum have been assessed by our volunteers for display. Many were beyond repair and had to be disposed of, some have been returned to the Museum for display and some will be retained for restoration and display at the Park.
Contact Information
Email: wihpark@gmail.com
Web site: http://www.westlandheritage.co.nz
Address: 9 Brian Waugh Lane, Hokitika 7810
Text and image: Westland Industrial Heritage Park
