Story: Auckland region

Mill at Whatipu

Mill at Whatipu

Timber milling was pivotal to Auckland’s economy in the late 19th century. This 1880 painting by Charles Blomfield shows a mill at Whatipu (Manukau Heads). Behind the mill is a dam – probably on the Whatipu stream. Logs were stored in the dam and then released, the flood carrying them downstream to ships. Blomfield strongly advocated the conservation of native bush.

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Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki
Oil on canvas by Charles Blomfield

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Margaret McClure, 'Auckland region - Timber town: 1870–1900', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/15895/mill-at-whatipu (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Margaret McClure, updated 1 Aug 2016