Sheep help save observatory
One of New Zealand’s most important pieces of astronomical history was only a few seasons of cattle grazing away from being lost forever.
Thankfully, much like its past, the future is looking up for the remains of Carkeek Observatory in a South Wairarapa paddock.
Held up by a walnut tree growing up through the middle, the old to¯tara building near Featherston is among the last of its kind in the world.
Kerryn Pollock, of Heritage New Zealand, who put together the listing report, said although it was in a ‘‘ruinous’’ condition, it was still a very exciting site.
‘‘It’s in a fairly parlous state and the fact that it has even survived at all is remarkable. We’re so lucky to even have it here.’’
Having achieved category 1 historic place status on the New Zealand Heritage List, the building is fenced off and protected from further degradation.
The observatory was built in 1867 by civil servant and amateur astronomer Stephen Carkeek. The science-minded colonist’s other claim to fame in the region was instigating the Wellington timeball for navigation and timekeeping purposes.
While other contemporary New Zealanders had also built similar personal observatories, Carkeek’s was the only one left.
For much of its life after the death of Carkeek and sale of the farm, the observatory was used to store farm equipment.
South Wairarapa District Council owns the land on which it sits and leases it back to the Hodder family, who have farmed the area for more than a century.
Graham Hodder said the old building came close to annihilation had they not opted for a change in land use for the part of the farm where it stood. They decided to run sheep in favour of cattle in that block. Had cattle been grazing that field, the building’s remains would have been destroyed.
Heritage New Zealand recommended that the site be scheduled in the local authority’s district plan for protection.
The Wairarapa Dark Skies Association is preparing an application for the region to be designated an International Dark Sky Reserve, and they see this site as a drawcard for stargazers.
Chairwoman Viv Napier said the observatory brought in the heritage aspect of what they were trying to preserve.
Founder of the association, Ray Lilley, said they were considering building a replica working observatory nearby.