Story: Auckland places

Sugar refinery

Sugar refinery

In 1882 the government offered a grant to the first company to establish a local sugar refinery. This was given to New Zealand Sugar Company, which established a plant beside Duck Creek in Birkenhead. The name Chelsea was chosen by the refinery’s first customs officer, who named it after the London suburb. This early 1900s view shows the northern side of the works, with Auckland in the background. The factory is still in production. Painted in pink, it remains a striking landmark.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Price Collection
Reference: 1/2-000290; G
Photograph by William Archer Price

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Margaret McClure, 'Auckland places - The North Shore', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/16100/sugar-refinery (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Margaret McClure, updated 5 Aug 2016