War base at Godley Head to reopen
Strengthening work and a cosmetic facelift have brought badly-damaged gun emplacements at a World War II base in Christchurch back to life.
The three emplacements – concrete slabs on which miliary guns were mounted – at the Godley Head coastal defence battery were damaged in the earthquakes, with the Department of Conservation (DOC) tasked with restoring the site.
The restoration of one of the top heritage New Zealand coastal defence remnants included mural work by Christchurch street artist Wongi Wilson, along with earthquake strengthening work and painting.
Lighting has also been installed so one of the underground ammunition stores can be viewed, and interpretation panels around the site explain the history of the battery.
The gun emplacements and soldiers’ quarters had become targets of vandalism in recent years. Extensive graffiti has been removed from the site and security cameras have been installed to prevent vandalism.
The battery, built in 1939, sits atop sheer 120-metre-high cliffs. In its heyday, the fort was staffed by more than 400 men and women and was a sprawling, self-contained community featuring three gun emplacements, two searchlights, a plotting room and two radars. These days, the gun emplacements, along with seven military buildings, remain intact.
The Godley Head Heritage Trust earlier established a heritage centre and museum in the former regimental headquarters building and quartermaster’s store.
DOC has been tight-lipped about details of the restoration ahead of the official reopening tomorrow.
The lighthouse, built in 1865, had to be moved during World War II to make way for the fort. During the 2011 earthquakes, parts of the cliff became unstable and the cupola and glassed-in lantern room of the lighthouse were removed to preserve it.
The fort closed in 1963. More recently the magnificent view of Sumner and New Brighton beaches have attracted campers to the high vantage point of Godley Head.
Deon Swiggs, a former central city ward Christchurch City councillor, said it was great to see the work completed and acknowledged the site as an important part of the city’s history. He said the emplacements offered ‘‘stark visualisations of our dark history and stunning natural scenery’’, and a chance to reflect.
The easiest way to see the restored emplacements is with a day walk from Te Onepoto/Taylors Mistake. DOC suggests three hours for the round trip, along a winding coast walk.
It is also possible to drive to the site along Summit Rd. A campsite among the buildings was opened by DOC in October 2016, offering campers and motorhome dwellers the chance to lap up the views at all times of the day.