A History of the Old Tauranga Post Office

 From Tauranga City Library’s archives

A monthly blog about interesting items in our collection

That old-timey feel the ‘Old Post Office’ carries has a name, Edwardian Baroque, a style designed to declare "empire" with all its permanence. Government Architect John Campbell gave it form in 1905–06 with stone walls and a clock tower meant to outlast us all. By 1987 however, it was empty, nearly felled by that decade’s scythe to all things unprofitable. Yet here it remains, long after many others have gone, a survivor with stories to tell. 

What follows is a brief history of the ‘Old Post Office’ building.

The corner of Willow and Wharf Streets was in the 1830s, part of the Church Missionary Society reserve, where Rev. Alfred Brown established a mission school. During the New Zealand Wars the building was pressed into service as a mission hospital, caring for both Māori and Pākehā. Later it passed into Crown control and became part of Tauranga’s government reserve, already a focus of administration and defence.

In 1874 the Crown erected a vast timber Government Buildings block on the site, an Italianate design by Bennett and Kaye of Auckland that was, at the time, the second-largest wooden building in New Zealand. For nearly 30 years it housed Tauranga’s administration, post and telegraph, and the Resident Magistrate’s Court. Despite its size, maybe because of it, it was not universally admired. Then in November 1902 it was destroyed by fire, along with decades of official records, forcing departments into scattered temporary lodgings.

It was on this layered site that Government Architect John Campbell designed Tauranga’s new Government Buildings in 1904, built over 1905–06. Conceived to house multiple state departments under one roof, the structure placed the Post and Telegraph Department on the ground floor, with the court, Lands and Survey, and other offices upstairs. Its Edwardian Baroque style gave Tauranga a sense of permanence and civic pride, expressed through a prominent clock tower, ornamented façades, and its commanding position overlooking the harbour. Inside, the walls carried the government’s standard scheme: light green upper wall, a darker lower section.

The building was completed in April 1906, with government departments moving in that June. Despite years of public campaigning for such a facility, its opening passed quietly, without ceremony.

Post Office, Tauranga, with staff in front, c. 1906, Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo 02-348

In 1907 the town clock was installed after a subscription fund raised by the Bay of Plenty Times, with the mechanism manufactured by Dent & Co. of London. By 1916 the building had already been extended to accommodate Tauranga’s growing administrative needs. Local rimu was used for the interiors, and with the arrival of electricity from the Ōmanawa Falls power scheme in 1915, electric lighting soon replaced the original gas fittings.

For decades the building remained Tauranga’s civic centre, housing postal services, the courts, and a range of government departments.

By the mid-20th century, Tauranga’s growth and rising expectations for modern facilities led departments to move elsewhere. The Post Office relocated to Grey Street in 1938, and a new courthouse opened in 1965. When the last government tenants, the Ministry of Works, vacated in 1987, the Old Post Office stood empty and earthquake-prone. Its future looked bleak. The Tauranga Community Arts Council convened a public meeting that revealed strong community will to save the landmark. A steering committee was formed under chair Grant Aislabie, drawing in architects, engineers, historians, and iwi representatives.

Government Property Services initially set an asking price of $1.2 million, later reduced to $530,000, but insisted on cash purchase. With professional fundraisers warning that public appeals could only follow ownership, the project fell into a catch-22. Structural reports confirmed the risks, but also pointed to possible solutions such as base isolation techniques.

Ideas for new uses reflected both community and tangata whenua aspirations. Proposals included a community resource centre, a bi-cultural gallery for local and touring exhibitions, and space for the Ngāti Ranginui Iwi Authority. Discussions were shaped by the concurrent Ngāi Tamarāwaho claim (WAI 42) over the land, which added weight to the iwi’s call for cultural facilities.

The Historic Places Trust recognised the building’s significance, upgrading its classification from Category C to Category B. Even so, by 1990 the Arts Council concluded that only a community-based solution was realistic, since commercial development was unlikely to succeed. Without the resources to purchase, the campaign faltered. But the effort ensured that the building’s value was now firmly stamped on the public consciousness.

In 1998 Grasshopper Properties acquired the property from Tauranga District Council for $200,000 and undertook a $1.5 million restoration. Historic Places Trust guidelines required the 1905 exterior to be precisely replicated, while the interior was adapted to modern use. New foundations, steel-mesh linings, and a ductile frame system provided earthquake strength, and original features such as the staircase and courtroom fittings were retained.

The restored building reopened in 1999 as modern office space, with Grasshopper Properties among its tenants. A History Room, gardens, and the restored clock reaffirmed its civic role. Mayor Noel Pope praised the project as a “marvellous” legacy for Tauranga.

Opening of the refurbished building 1999, Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo 04-670

In 2001 the Smythe Family Trust purchased the building and used it for office space, including leases to iwi organisations. By 2018, new seismic requirements and commercial pressures prompted another transformation. Tauranga City Council approved a $4.9 million conversion into a boutique hotel and restaurant, with careful strengthening and refurbishment. Later that year the building reopened as Clarence Hotel, offering ten suites upstairs and hospitality venues below.

Today the old stone heavyweight that once stamped empire onto this landscape is dwarfed by modern buildings that seem largely agnostic to the history of our city, while down the hill two new structures emerge that, one hopes, will tell a better story.

Sources:

Newspaper Articles in a 1999 Special Edition

• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “Tricky task, but it was worth it.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “Clear guidelines helped restoration project.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “If these walls could speak, they’d say...thank you.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “First Government architect.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “Original building much more than a post office.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “Proud to be part of a project.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “Top example of baroque style.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “Marvellous says mayor.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “Final postmaster started job in 1942.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “Outside looks deceptive.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “Last gasp of the Empire.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “A passion for old buildings.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “Newspaper fund helped pay for new town clock.”
• BOP Times. (1999, October 27). “Building extended after just 10 years.”

Other Sources

• Rorke, J. (1988). Draft and notes to article in the Historical Review – Bay of Plenty Journal of History, 36(2), 104–110.
• Tauranga Community Arts Council. (1990). Report.

Written by Harley Couper, Heritage Specialist at Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries

Mary Humphreys, Photographer: Part 6

The Heyday of Real Photo Postcards (1907-1909)
continued from Part 5

Group of men standing on steps of Post & Telegraph Office, Tauranga, c. Nov-Dec 1906
Real photo postcard photographed and published on Empire cardstock, attributed to Mary Humphreys
Posted as a Christmas card by postmaster C.E. Nicholas, 18 Dec 1906
Collection of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Ref. 0162/09

In early October 1905 Mary Humphreys announced to the residents of Tauranga that she was now able to take pictures of “residences, grounds and similar subjects” and print them in real photo postcard format at 6 shillings per dozen, or sixpence apiece.[i] While the use of pre-printed postcard stock meant they were substantially cheaper than the loose and mounted prints which had been readily available until then, for general scenic views they could not compete against collotype-printed postcards produced in large numbers by German printing firms and sold in local outlets such as stationers T.S. Duncanson and T.E. Wayte, and later Guiness Brothers and Miss Lacey’s Bazaar, for 1d to 2d each.

Senior Team, Kopana Hockey Club (Maud Nina Stewart at far right of front row), c. late 1906
Real photo postcard photographed and published on Empire cardstock, attributed to Mary Humphreys
Posted by H.S.B. at Onehunga to Miss Stewart, Tauranga, 24 Dec 1906
Collection of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Ref. 0349/21

Short production turnaround times and their suitability for limited print runs, however, meant that postcards were ideal for commissioned views, particularly those which included identifiable people, buildings or activities. Despite straying into territory traditionally served by studio photographers as “outwork”, and for which she now competed with a newly arrived photographer, Thomas Price’s brother-in-law Robert Meers,[ii] Humphreys was increasingly successful in this regard.

”Regatta day at Mount, 9^th Nov 1906, O.L. Amy 1st in launch race”, Tauranga Harbour entrance
Real photo postcard photographed and published on Kodak Austral cardstock by Mary Humphreys
Collection of Steve Vergeest

Although newspaper reports rarely noted the format in which individual commissions were being produced, from 1906 onwards she was kept busy photographing weddings,[iii] society events, sports teams,[iv] the post office staff, business premises, visiting politicians,[v] a sewing bee,[vi] a picnic party, and even a yacht race in Tauranga harbour.

Family group seated on veranda of “Hightrees”, Tauranga, c. Nov-Dec 1908
Real photo postcard photographed and published on Empire greetings cardstock by Mary Humphreys
Posted by Harold Shearman of Tauranga to Mrs Annie Nordell, Eketahuna, 14 Dec 1906
Collection of Steve Vergeest

For the festive season Mary used a variety of devices to allow her postcards to be used more specifically as Christmas greetings cards. An advertisement placed in the Bay of Plenty Times for the week from 11-15 October 1909 stated:

“PHOTOGRAPHIC CHRISTMAS CARDS for Home and absent friends. Mrs HUMPHREYS is prepared to execute the above. Orders left at Mr Duncanson's or Mr Wayte's attended to.” [vii]

In December 1908 Harold Shearman, then a clerk at the Post Office and occupant of prominent Tauranga residence High Trees, sent a postcard commissioned from Mary Humphreys, on Empire cardstock pre-printed with a floral scroll design and the message “With Best Wishes”, picturing himself with “wife & Co” seated on the veranda of their home.

Empire cardstock pre-printed with greetings message and handstamped, “Mary Humphreys, Photo., Tauranga”
With half-penny “Aoraki” postage stamp, postmarked Tauranga, 14 December 1908
Collection of Steve Vergeest

A similar postcard with a slightly different “Compliments of the Season” design was sent at Christmas 1908 by Nurse Mary Chappell, a registered midwife and proprietor of The Palms Nursing Home,[viii] showing a woman in nurse’s uniform standing on the veranda of “The Palms” (Tauranga City Libraries Pae Koroki Ref. 07-075).

Empire cardstock pre-printed with greetings message and handstamped, “Mary Humphreys, Photo., Tauranga”
Inscribed, “Mrs Chappell, Tauranga … Xmas 1908
Collection of Tauranga City Libraries, Pae Korokī Ref. 07-075

“Veterans and returned troopers who took part in the ceremony to unveil a new obelisk at Tauranga commemorating soldiers and sailors who fell during the New Zealand Wars”, 11 Jul 1909
Photographed by Mary Humphreys, published in The New Zealand Graphic and Ladies Journal, 21 Jul 1909
Collection of Auckland Libraries, Ref. NZG-19090721-0018-04

In July 1909 the editor of the Bay of Plenty Times reported:

“Mrs Humphreys secured a nice series of photographs of the recent ceremony of unveiling the monument in the Military Cemetery, and the pictures are now available in post card and other forms.” [ix]

This was the unveiling of the 1^st Waikato Militia Memorial, a monument to the soldiers of that regiment that had fallen at Pukehinahina forty-five years earlier, at the Mission Cemetery (Ōtamataha Pā).[x] An unattributed photograph of veterans and others present at the ceremony, and a photo of the “new obelisk” (Auckland Library Ref. NZG-19090721-0018-08), were published in the New Zealand Graphic on 21 July.[xi] That they were in fact taken by Mary Humphreys is known because postcard prints of at least two of the same images with Mary Humphreys’ stamp exist, held in a private collection and at Tauranga Library (Pae Korokī Ref. 99-097). She also sent copies of these postcards to Major General Robley in the UK, a gesture which ultimately resulted in generous donations from a group of his friends for maintenance of the cemetery.[xii]

Tauranga Gas Works, c. August 1909
Real photo postcard photographed and published on Empire cardstock by Mary Humphreys
Collection of Tauranga City Libraries, Pae Korokī Ref. 01-569

In August 1909 she was on hand for the inauguration ceremony of the long awaited Gas Works, and “afterwards took a photograph of the gathering”.[xiii] The postcard view above was perhaps on a different occasion, but is likely to have sold in some numbers. She likewise produced commissioned views of various business premises in Tauranga, including those of P. Munro, a general merchant and land agent on the Strand (private collection), and F.H. Hammond, baker and grocer on Willow Street (Tauranga Heritage Collection 0172/09).

“From the Mount, Tauranga, 1/1/12. GAW. 96C” View of Mt Maunganui and Hopukiore from the slopes of Mauao
Real photo postcard, possible attribution to Mary Humphreys
Collection of Tauranga City Libraries, Pae Korokī Ref. 03-446

In October 1909 a series of postcards promoting the development of the East Coast Railway were commissioned by G.A. Ward, member of the Chamber of Commerce and newly elected president of the Tauranga Railway League.

“The following particulars relating to the East Coast railway have been prepared by Mr G.A. Ward … and issued by the League to accompany the photographic post cards of the East Coast railway and connecting lines to Pokeno and Rotorua, which are to be distributed immediately …” [xiv]

Later views in this numbered series, identified with the monogram “GAW” as part of the titling, include a view of the railway line from the Moturiki Island quarry to the Railway Wharf at the southern end of Waikorire (Pilot Bay) in January 1912 (number 96C, shown above, perhaps one of a panorama), and one of the opening of the Tauranga-Te Puke railway in October 1913 (number 100, private collection). Although contemporary newspaper reports don’t state who the photographer was, it seems likely that Mary Humphreys was responsible, as similar titling was used by her for other postcard views from that time period.

“Summer breakers at the Mount, Tauranga, N.Z.”, taken on Mauao’s base track, c. 1910-1911
Silver gelatin print mounted on album page, photograph attributed to Mary Humphreys
Tauranga Heritage Collection, Captain Mee Album Ref. 0032/12

An album of photographs presented by Ward to Captain F.T. Mee, master of the SS Clan Ross, then the biggest steamer to visit the port of Tauranga, by the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce in May 1911, includes 43 photographs of the Tauranga district, most of which were taken by Mary Humphreys, some over a decade earlier.[xv] Four of them have the same style of titling, with G.A. Ward’s monogram on the corner.

“Ocean Bay, The Mount, Tauranga, N.Z.” View from Moturiki, dated 11 January 1910
Lightly hand-tinted real photo postcard, photograph by Mary Humphreys
Collection of Justine Neal

Many of these views were published as postcards on a variety of pre-printed postcard stock, either with or without her hand-stamp neatly placed in the top left corner of the address side. As early as 1909 Humphreys was using Kodak Austral cardstock, replaced from around 1916 by Kodak Ltd. “K” cardstock.

Mary Humphreys postcard on early Kodak Austral cardstock, used Jan 1910
Collection of Justine Neal

“The Karaka Walk, The Mount, Tauranga, N.Z.” View of Waikorire from Mauao base track, c. 1906-1910
Real photo postcard, photographed by Mary Humphreys
Collection of Steve Vergeest

Mary Humphreys postcard on later Kodak Austral cardstock
Collection of Steve Vergeest

Her commercial output appears to have almost ceased by the outbreak of war in late 1914, although she was still listed as a photographer in Wise’s New Zealand Post Office Directory for 1915. A few postcards were used postally after that time, but most had probably been published in earlier years. The specific reasons for her retirement from the photographic scene is unknown, although Robert Meers did increase his postcard output at around this time. In July 1913 he “remove[d] to commodious premises lately occupied by T.E. Price” on the Strand,[xvi] and in October formed a partnership with recently arrived photographer Mick McMahon offering “all classes of photographic work”.[xvii] While Meers is thought to have concentrated predominantly on studio portraits, McMahon is known to have been very active in his outdoors work. Although the partnership lasted less than a year, both of them continued to be active in Tauranga after it was dissolved in May 1914.[xviii] The competition for customers in a market which declined rapidly after the outbreak of war may just have proved too stiff for Mary Humphreys.

She had achieved a great deal in the space of a mere fifteen years. After mastering the technological and artistic aspects of photography, she had developed a full portfolio of very competent views throughout the region. She embraced the opportunities offered by the newly developed technology of half-tone reproduction, and formed business relationships with several national newspapers. She was a pioneer of the local postcard industry, and produced a substantial number of views – probably several hundred – documenting not only the countryside but also numerous local events. Her known postcards are keenly sought after by local collectors, but plenty of work still needs to be done on the origins of images from that era, and more unattributed photographs may well prove to have been taken by her.

Mary Humphreys died in Tauranga on 7 January 1946. Her obituary in the Bay of Plenty Times noted:

“Tauranga loses one of its oldest and most respected residents … She took an active part in all social activities in Tauranga and was a keen supporter of the Church of England, the Mission to Seamen and all patriotic affairs during the two wars. She was also one of the early supporters of the Barnardo [sic] homes. Mrs Humphreys was well known throughout New Zealand for artistic work and needlework. She will be missed by a large circle of friends in Tauranga and elsewhere.”

Acknowledgements

The research carried out for this series of articles on the elusive and enigmatic Mary Humphreys would have been impossible without access to several private and public photograph and postcard collections. I’m very grateful to several individuals, namely Geoff Willacy, Brian Ducker, Justine Neal, Steve Vergeest and Debbie McCauley, who have very generously allowed me to peruse their collections, and in some cases take photographs or scans of the postcards, and shared their thoughts gained from years of research. Likewise, I appreciate the staff at Tauranga Library Archives and Tauranga Heritage Collection, who afforded me unfettered access to their public collections. Previous research published by Justine Neal, Shirley Arabin, Geoff Willacy (Historical Review, Vol 63 No 2, p42-47) and Debbie McCauley (ref) has also been very useful.

References

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[i] Mary Humphreys, “Photographic Post-Cards. Advertisement,” Bay of Plenty Times, October 9, 1905, Volume 31 Issue 4810 edition.

[ii] Brett Payne, “Tauranga Photographers: Robert Walter Meers,” Tauranga Historical Society (blog), June 12, 2015, http://taurangahistorical.blogspot.com/2015/06/tauranga-photographers-robert-walter.html.

[iii] “Weddings. Rusling-Rodgers,” Bay of Plenty Times, April 11, 1906, Volume 31 Issue 4885 edition.

[iv] “Untitled [Mrs Humphreys’ Photograph of Tauranga City Junior Football Team],” Bay of Plenty Times, September 6, 1905, Volume 31 Issue 4796 edition.

[v] “Trip to Papamoa,” Bay of Plenty Times, April 7, 1909, Volume 37 Issue 5342 edition.

[vi] “Sale of Work,” Bay of Plenty Times, October 29, 1906, Volume 35 Issue 4970 edition.

[vii] Mary Humphreys, “Photographic Christmas Cards. Advertisement,” Bay of Plenty Times, October 11, 1909, Volume 38 Issue 5420 edition.

[viii] Justine Neal, “‘The Palms’ Licensed Maternity Nursing Home,” Blog, Tauranga Historical Society (blog), June 28, 2013, https://taurangahistorical.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-palms-licensed-maternity-nursing.html.

[ix] “Local and General [Ceremony Unveiling Monument in Military Cemetery],” Bay of Plenty Times, July 19, 1909, Volume 37 Issue 5384 edition.

[x] Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage, “Tauranga 1st Waikato Militia NZ Wars Memorial,” New Zealand History, May 29, 2024, https://nzhistory.govt.nz/memorial/tauranga-1st-waikato-militia-nz-wars-memorial.

[xi] “‘Lest We Forget’ - The Victims of the Maori War,” The Weekly Graphic and New Zealand Mail, July 21, 1909, Volume 43 Issue 3 edition.

[xii] “Local and General [Mrs Humphreys Received Letter from Robley],” Bay of Plenty Times, October 18, 1909, Volume 38 Issue 5423 edition.

[xiii] “Progress. The New Gasworks. Inauguration Ceremony,” Bay of Plenty Times, August 18, 1909, Volume 37 Issue 5397 edition.

[xiv] “Railway Reasons,” Bay of Plenty Times, October 11, 1909, Volume 38 Issue 5420 edition.

[xv] Mary Humphreys and Thomas Edward Price, Captain Mee Album, May 1911, Photograph album, Silver gelatin prints, 230mm (height), 290mm (width), 40mm (depth), May 1911, Tauranga Heritage Collection, https://view.taurangaheritagecollection.co.nz/objects/26940/photograph-album.

[xvi] “Untitled [Photographer R.W. Meers Removed to New Premises],” Bay of Plenty Times, July 2, 1913, Volume 41 Issue 5978 edition.

[xvii] Robert Walter Meers and Michael Patrick McMahon, “Partnership Notice. Advertisement,” Bay of Plenty Times, October 29, 1913, Volume 41 Issue 6030 edition.

[xviii] Brett Payne, “Mick McMahon and the Talma Studio - Part 1,” Tauranga Historical Society (blog), July 10, 2020, http://taurangahistorical.blogspot.com/2020/07/mick-mcmahon-and-talma-studio-part-1.html.