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Story: Rock, limestone and clay

Tākaka Hill marble quarry

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Tākaka Hill marble quarry

Large blocks of marble were quarried from Tākaka Hill. The crane and rail system illustrate how heavy the blocks were, and what dangerous work environments quarries are. The marble was used as cladding on Parliament Buildings, and in the refurbishment of the Parliamentary Library in the 1990s.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Leslie Hinge Collection (PAColl-3050)

Reference: 1/1-021978; G

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

Carl Walrond, Rock, limestone and clay – Cement, marble and dolomite, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/5235/takaka-hill-marble-quarry (accessed 15 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 2 March 2009.