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Story: Wairarapa region

Industrial decay

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Industrial decay

For much of the 20th century the Waingawa meatworks, just south of Masterton, was Wairarapa’s largest employer. The works closed in 1989 when killing was centralised at new plants in southern Hawke’s Bay. By 2006, the buildings were derelict.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Ben Schrader

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How to cite this page

Ben Schrader, Wairarapa region – Diversifying the economy, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12096/industrial-decay (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Ben Schrader, published 2 March 2009, updated 1 March 2017.