Horowhenua shipwreck gets heritage recognition

5 July 2011

MEDIA RELEASE

Horowhenua shipwreck gets heritage recognition

A 19th century shipwreck beached on the Horowhenua Coast has been recognised as a Category II historic place by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT).

The remains of the Hydrabad have been at Waitarere Beach, near Levin, since June 1878. The wreck site is now almost completely buried beneath the advancing sand dunes, but still attracts numerous visitors. A prominent marker and an information panel erected by the Horowhenua District Council in 2010 indicates its location and history.

Shipwreck sites such as the Hydrabad are nationally significant. There are approximately 3000 wrecked or abandoned vessels documented around New Zealand’s coast, about half occurring in the 19th century or earlier. Relatively few have been physically located or recorded in the New Zealand Archaeological Association site recording scheme. All pre-1900 shipwreck sites are legally protected as archaeological sites by the Historic Places Act.

“The Hydrabad was a prominent landmark on Waitarere Beach for many years, offering a unique point of difference along the coastline,” said NZHPT Central Region Area Coordinator David Watt.

“While the site is now almost completely buried in sand it could become exposed again in the future through erosion or shifting sand dunes.

“As an archaeological and historical site it is nationally significant and deserves recognition. Shipwrecks from the 1870s are nationally rare and few have been re-located. The Hydrabad is also among the largest known 19th century wrecks on the New Zealand coast.”

The NZHPT has five other vessels on its Register - the Victory (off the Otago coast), Edwin Fox (at Picton), Tararua (off the Southland coast), Alexandra and Tasmanian Maid (both off the north Taranaki coast).

The Hydrabad wreck site has influenced the Waitarere Beach community, with Hydrabad Drive and Holmwood Park – named after the ship’s captain – direct historical links.

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