Courthouse

The original Waimate Courthouse built in 1866-67 was destroyed by fire in 1878. The present building, designed by architect PFM Burrows was opened in 1880.

Burrows worked in The Colonial Architect’s Office and was responsible for many of the smaller post offices and courthouses throughout New Zealand in places like Port Chalmers, Dunedin North, Blenheim, Gisborne and New Plymouth.

His most important buildings were the Christchurch Post Office, The Supreme Court Building in Wellington and Mount Eden Prison.

In 1979 in spite of strong protest by The Waimate Borough Council, which was reluctant to lose court sittings in the town, the Courthouse was closed as part of the government’s rationalisation policy.

In 1980 The Waimate Historical Society moved in and The Waimate Museum was established in the building.

The building remains beautifully proportioned, enhanced in the traditional courthouse style by being placed back from the road and surrounded on either side by mature trees.

Various interior features of its use as a courthouse have been retained to remind the public of the building’s past, for example the magistrate’s bench in the courtroom.

This distinguished old building is lovingly maintained in its original condition.