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The 'Barber' Greymouths infamous wind.
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PhotographerGenesis One photography.
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Location (city or town)GreymouthEventThe 'Barber'
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Category TagTownship
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CommentsWendy Buchanan I remember cycling out of Greymouth towards Stillwater into that. Windy and very chilly. Miss the Coast
Tony Cameron i heard about this on a standard 4 west coast trip at primary school, all thoes years ago !! :)
Christopher Hutching Was there recently and received a number 1
Alan Pegley It was called "The Barber", as the effects could cut you in two. Our family lived on Mawhera Quay in an upstairs flat, where Kingsgate Hotel is now. In the early 1950's as a primary school pupil, I delivered the Grey River Argus, the morning paper, on my bike. I will never forget how cold the barber was. My mother took me along to Dr. Nixon, to have the chillblains on my ears sorted.
Trevor Wylde Alan Pegley If I remember rightly Jack Pegley was a barber where the mall is now?
Alan Pegley Jack was my father Trevor . He had a sports shop on the corner of Mawhera Quay, and Albert St. Our flat was above the shop. Jimmy Oakley had a barbers shop in Tainui st.
Trevor Wylde Alan Pegley That right Pegleys sports shop and yes Jim Oakley barber had a few haircuts by him growing up. Are you still in Greymouth Alan?
Heather Gaulter Can’t say I miss the barber
Robin Spillane We always waited for the bus to take us back to Hgahere in the cafe as it was freezing waiting when the Barber blew.
Phyllis Aberhart When I lived in Blackball I always left a jacket in my car in case the Barber was with its freezing wind, because Id been caught out too often
Judy Fishburn Gee I've walked over the Cobden bridge many a time and the barber being so thick getting to the other end feeling like a ice block. That's one thing I don't miss
John Warren Great photo
Linda Reedy I have seen that ill wind coming over the Paparoes in Westport as well
Wendy Bruce The ‘Blue Mountain Express’ flows over the mountains from about 3-6pm & although cool, doesn’t cut you in 2 like the Barber did.
Margaret Standen Used to hate walking to work when the barber blew!
Heather Newby Dad used to bike up to the station early morning .. he had a wool long coat and a balaclava.. to this very day I still wear a balalclava on my bike early mornings.
Brent Tomlinson Heather Newby I remember getting chilblains on my ears going to school in blaketown, of course it was short back and sides with hair in those days
Rose Green Brent Tomlinson omg havnt heard that word chillblains for years the word makes you feel cold better put some more coal on the fire
Heather Newby Brent Tomlinson and biking to high school.. my legs used to get red and blue with the cold
Heather Newby Rose Green chilblains are sooo itchy and sore !
Brent Tomlinson Rose Green your right Rose, and they were cold and hurt like hell
Rose Green Yes we are spoilt now days
Dorothy Wills Interesting history I watched a documentary in Australia recently that had a wind that they could glide planes on for ages, unfortunately I can’t remember the name of the area
Anne Honey Used to bike to high school from Cobden. Still feel it on foggy days.
Ann Beech Anne Honey cold and wet!
Mel Higson Walked over the Cobden bridge many times,the barber was so cold.
It's part of the coast, miss it
Val Whittaker So well known My son Steve remembers it well biking to school to Marist Brothers
Shona Ratana Walking over the Taylorville bridge was an experience especially on cold "Barber" mornings
Lorraine Morresey Lived in Bright St in Cobden and remember looking at it moving up the river. Sooo cold
Doreen Wallis Fremantle has the doctor, of the two the barber is meaner
Karla Haussmann Stunning photo
Nova Hichens I remember it well.
Kuan Tai Lucas Biking to school and earlier to the station- used to deliver The Press to Cobden Steve Lucas
Eileen David Taylor Green Amazing ..looks kind of like a tidal wave...
2
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Myron Caldwell
Myron Caldwell I got off a railway unit at Waikanae. I heard the conductress (can I say that nowadays) say something which made me think she might have come from the West Coast. She related the story of them catching the railcar from Reefton to Greymouth. Her mot…See More
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Leslie McKendry
Leslie McKendry Was she a shortish, well built Lady? If so was Jenny Griffen from Reefton. She is quite a character.
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Myron Caldwell
Myron Caldwell Leslie McKendry This lady was one of the 15 Winn children in Reefton. did you have relatives in Westport, with McKendry not being the most common of names.
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Leslie McKendry
Leslie McKendry H'mm, Griffen maybe her married name, but if she fits that description, I have known her for over 20 yrs, as I took the train into work and Jenny was often the Guard, and we are both Coasters so started to talk!
Regarding relatives in Westport, not tha…See More
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Myron Caldwell
Myron Caldwell Leslie McKendry you must be perfectly acceptable if you are from the Olde Country, as were my forebears on both sides.
1
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Leslie McKendry
Leslie McKendry I know there is a McKendry Grave in Reefton, but I haven't been able to link that.
My Family appears to settle in County Antrim in Tuftanrey Townland just outside of Bellamena, surpriningly my wifes family is also from that area, I understand the Mckendry's were 'plantationed' to Northern Ireland around the 1700's from around Oban and settled initially at BallyCastle before spreading across Antrim.
Susan McEnroe Awesome photo!
Gordon Dixon Remember that barber when coming into Greymouth cut you in two and so cold but us coasters put up with these things ,touch bunch.
Elizabeth Mehrtens Marcelyn Angie Quinn
Glenys Elizabeth Martin True kids those day s didn't t seem to get sick,I lived in Cobden and mostly bussed to school later in life lived in town and worked for years at Kings Hotel , and mostly walked from Thompson and Murray streets was a lovely walk till about the fountain , so crossed over down road sevices lane, and then down Albert street ok once I left Tainui street (sheltered)
Joy Cox Glenys Elizabeth Martin You were a tough little bugger when you were younger and now you're a tough old bugger lol xoxo Myron Caldwell Glenys. that was because that bloody wind killed the bugs.
Yvonne Lawson Brilliant
Gavin Davy Bunch of softies.
Christina Minamizawa You’re captured this beautiful moment when the light was perfect
Tones Avic Derek I remember walking across the cobden bridge walking to school with that coming down, loved watching it come down the river but it was so cold
Heather Newby it used to go way back up the river to the Brunner Mine site and maybe even beyond that
George Gardner I lived in Cobden and new it was a bad one when it 'rolled over' our Twelve Apostles.
Jenny Leach Oh dear Al at least you have good memories even if your ears don't lol
Arthur Bass You want to try walking the beat, checking doirs etc., on nightshift with the barber down. Brrrrr
Simon Bass Washing work vans on the quay in the mornings was delightful too
Arthur Bass Won't have that problem where you are now Muscles.
Elaine Rainey I lived in Wickes St in Cobden. Used to ride my motorcycle to work at the hospital each day. It was freezing cold.
Ray Reynolds Great photo....can feel the cold.
John White You don't know what katabatibc means until you have biked over the old Brunner Bridge through that bloody barber - without gloves on and the ice builds up on you!!
Alan Pegley John White I started school in 1947 at Taylorville before we moved to Greymouth in 1952. The barber and me are old acquaintances but not friends!
John White Right Alan - you know what I mean. Are you a Peggy as in the sports shop?
Bryce Smith It surely is cutting
Garry Chapman Remember both shops as a child .There is Siberia and there is downtown Greymouth during a barber
Christine Hart We walked into it coming down the Grey Valley to get the school bus at Brunner. Bitter and freezing it was.
Warner Nut Curry Great photo, feel the Katabatic just looking at it,
Warren Duthie i operated the tower crane for kings hotel i was in sun shine sometimes and could not see the street below because of the barberFran Townsend I also worked on the Bar for Talleys then Westfleet for a little while only left due to travelling overseas best job in the world Though getting flooded out of home in Arney street wasn't much fun! Miss it
Marlene Jackson Perry Terry MJ remember???
Marlene Jackson Perry
Marlene Jackson Perry OMG, I experienced that (seemed like EVERY day) 65yrs ago as a kid.
Hated it.
Gillian Johnson Once felt, never forgotten !
David Irving I can remember walking to work on Herbert st towards the Union Hotel and as soon as you passed Despatch Engineering the Barber hit you. Bloody miserableLike
Sandra Sands Thought it was normal until we shifted to Dobson and got sunshine
Calum McCreath I left Ross on the Harley one Sunday morning and it was a Sunny warm 18 degrees. By Greymouth it was cold/ overcast misty did I mention cold..........
The other side of Greymouth it started to warm up and come right. Unreal. And to this day people tell me it doesn’t happen.
Joanna Hyslop Does anyone know why is it called 'the Barber'? Is it after someone of that name? Corrie van Wyk Thank you for choosing my photo!
Heather Newby wow.. is that you!?!.. nice to meet you.great photo.. captures the barber perfectly!.do you have any more photos of the coast?
Corrie van Wyk Heather Newby Yes I do and will post some soon.
Pauline Thompson So remember as a kid living there
Marie Summers Looks like a tidal wave over the hills
Sarah Veller Douglas Smales You still going. ?
Rachael Smythe Brrr feel the cold right to your bones - walking over that Cobden bridge
Joy Beveridge Grandmother lived in Cobden for years, school holidays spent there...
Keith Williams I grew up in Cobden and delivered The Press in the town area for years,so I remember 'The Barber' well ! I'd get home to thaw out and change,then bike through it again going to school. As a couple of people have noted,it was so named because "it could cut you in half".
Tony Cameron i heard about this on a standard 4 west coast trip at primary school, all thoes years ago !! :)
Christopher Hutching Was there recently and received a number 1
Alan Pegley It was called "The Barber", as the effects could cut you in two. Our family lived on Mawhera Quay in an upstairs flat, where Kingsgate Hotel is now. In the early 1950's as a primary school pupil, I delivered the Grey River Argus, the morning paper, on my bike. I will never forget how cold the barber was. My mother took me along to Dr. Nixon, to have the chillblains on my ears sorted.
Trevor Wylde Alan Pegley If I remember rightly Jack Pegley was a barber where the mall is now?
Alan Pegley Jack was my father Trevor . He had a sports shop on the corner of Mawhera Quay, and Albert St. Our flat was above the shop. Jimmy Oakley had a barbers shop in Tainui st.
Trevor Wylde Alan Pegley That right Pegleys sports shop and yes Jim Oakley barber had a few haircuts by him growing up. Are you still in Greymouth Alan?
Heather Gaulter Can’t say I miss the barber
Robin Spillane We always waited for the bus to take us back to Hgahere in the cafe as it was freezing waiting when the Barber blew.
Phyllis Aberhart When I lived in Blackball I always left a jacket in my car in case the Barber was with its freezing wind, because Id been caught out too often
Judy Fishburn Gee I've walked over the Cobden bridge many a time and the barber being so thick getting to the other end feeling like a ice block. That's one thing I don't miss
John Warren Great photo
Linda Reedy I have seen that ill wind coming over the Paparoes in Westport as well
Wendy Bruce The ‘Blue Mountain Express’ flows over the mountains from about 3-6pm & although cool, doesn’t cut you in 2 like the Barber did.
Margaret Standen Used to hate walking to work when the barber blew!
Heather Newby Dad used to bike up to the station early morning .. he had a wool long coat and a balaclava.. to this very day I still wear a balalclava on my bike early mornings.
Brent Tomlinson Heather Newby I remember getting chilblains on my ears going to school in blaketown, of course it was short back and sides with hair in those days
Rose Green Brent Tomlinson omg havnt heard that word chillblains for years the word makes you feel cold better put some more coal on the fire
Heather Newby Brent Tomlinson and biking to high school.. my legs used to get red and blue with the cold
Heather Newby Rose Green chilblains are sooo itchy and sore !
Brent Tomlinson Rose Green your right Rose, and they were cold and hurt like hell
Rose Green Yes we are spoilt now days
Dorothy Wills Interesting history I watched a documentary in Australia recently that had a wind that they could glide planes on for ages, unfortunately I can’t remember the name of the area
Anne Honey Used to bike to high school from Cobden. Still feel it on foggy days.
Ann Beech Anne Honey cold and wet!
Mel Higson Walked over the Cobden bridge many times,the barber was so cold.
It's part of the coast, miss it
Val Whittaker So well known My son Steve remembers it well biking to school to Marist Brothers
Shona Ratana Walking over the Taylorville bridge was an experience especially on cold "Barber" mornings
Lorraine Morresey Lived in Bright St in Cobden and remember looking at it moving up the river. Sooo cold
Doreen Wallis Fremantle has the doctor, of the two the barber is meaner
Karla Haussmann Stunning photo
Nova Hichens I remember it well.
Kuan Tai Lucas Biking to school and earlier to the station- used to deliver The Press to Cobden Steve Lucas
Eileen David Taylor Green Amazing ..looks kind of like a tidal wave...
2
Manage
Like
· Reply · 6h
Myron Caldwell
Myron Caldwell I got off a railway unit at Waikanae. I heard the conductress (can I say that nowadays) say something which made me think she might have come from the West Coast. She related the story of them catching the railcar from Reefton to Greymouth. Her mot…See More
Manage
Like
· Reply · 5h
Leslie McKendry
Leslie McKendry Was she a shortish, well built Lady? If so was Jenny Griffen from Reefton. She is quite a character.
Manage
Like
· Reply · 4h
Myron Caldwell
Myron Caldwell Leslie McKendry This lady was one of the 15 Winn children in Reefton. did you have relatives in Westport, with McKendry not being the most common of names.
Manage
Like
· Reply · 4h
Leslie McKendry
Leslie McKendry H'mm, Griffen maybe her married name, but if she fits that description, I have known her for over 20 yrs, as I took the train into work and Jenny was often the Guard, and we are both Coasters so started to talk!
Regarding relatives in Westport, not tha…See More
Manage
Like
· Reply · 4h
Myron Caldwell
Myron Caldwell Leslie McKendry you must be perfectly acceptable if you are from the Olde Country, as were my forebears on both sides.
1
Manage
Like
· Reply · 4h
Leslie McKendry
Leslie McKendry I know there is a McKendry Grave in Reefton, but I haven't been able to link that.
My Family appears to settle in County Antrim in Tuftanrey Townland just outside of Bellamena, surpriningly my wifes family is also from that area, I understand the Mckendry's were 'plantationed' to Northern Ireland around the 1700's from around Oban and settled initially at BallyCastle before spreading across Antrim.
Susan McEnroe Awesome photo!
Gordon Dixon Remember that barber when coming into Greymouth cut you in two and so cold but us coasters put up with these things ,touch bunch.
Elizabeth Mehrtens Marcelyn Angie Quinn
Glenys Elizabeth Martin True kids those day s didn't t seem to get sick,I lived in Cobden and mostly bussed to school later in life lived in town and worked for years at Kings Hotel , and mostly walked from Thompson and Murray streets was a lovely walk till about the fountain , so crossed over down road sevices lane, and then down Albert street ok once I left Tainui street (sheltered)
Joy Cox Glenys Elizabeth Martin You were a tough little bugger when you were younger and now you're a tough old bugger lol xoxo Myron Caldwell Glenys. that was because that bloody wind killed the bugs.
Yvonne Lawson Brilliant
Gavin Davy Bunch of softies.
Christina Minamizawa You’re captured this beautiful moment when the light was perfect
Tones Avic Derek I remember walking across the cobden bridge walking to school with that coming down, loved watching it come down the river but it was so cold
Heather Newby it used to go way back up the river to the Brunner Mine site and maybe even beyond that
George Gardner I lived in Cobden and new it was a bad one when it 'rolled over' our Twelve Apostles.
Jenny Leach Oh dear Al at least you have good memories even if your ears don't lol
Arthur Bass You want to try walking the beat, checking doirs etc., on nightshift with the barber down. Brrrrr
Simon Bass Washing work vans on the quay in the mornings was delightful too
Arthur Bass Won't have that problem where you are now Muscles.
Elaine Rainey I lived in Wickes St in Cobden. Used to ride my motorcycle to work at the hospital each day. It was freezing cold.
Ray Reynolds Great photo....can feel the cold.
John White You don't know what katabatibc means until you have biked over the old Brunner Bridge through that bloody barber - without gloves on and the ice builds up on you!!
Alan Pegley John White I started school in 1947 at Taylorville before we moved to Greymouth in 1952. The barber and me are old acquaintances but not friends!
John White Right Alan - you know what I mean. Are you a Peggy as in the sports shop?
Bryce Smith It surely is cutting
Garry Chapman Remember both shops as a child .There is Siberia and there is downtown Greymouth during a barber
Christine Hart We walked into it coming down the Grey Valley to get the school bus at Brunner. Bitter and freezing it was.
Warner Nut Curry Great photo, feel the Katabatic just looking at it,
Warren Duthie i operated the tower crane for kings hotel i was in sun shine sometimes and could not see the street below because of the barberFran Townsend I also worked on the Bar for Talleys then Westfleet for a little while only left due to travelling overseas best job in the world Though getting flooded out of home in Arney street wasn't much fun! Miss it
Marlene Jackson Perry Terry MJ remember???
Marlene Jackson Perry
Marlene Jackson Perry OMG, I experienced that (seemed like EVERY day) 65yrs ago as a kid.
Hated it.
Gillian Johnson Once felt, never forgotten !
David Irving I can remember walking to work on Herbert st towards the Union Hotel and as soon as you passed Despatch Engineering the Barber hit you. Bloody miserableLike
Sandra Sands Thought it was normal until we shifted to Dobson and got sunshine
Calum McCreath I left Ross on the Harley one Sunday morning and it was a Sunny warm 18 degrees. By Greymouth it was cold/ overcast misty did I mention cold..........
The other side of Greymouth it started to warm up and come right. Unreal. And to this day people tell me it doesn’t happen.
Joanna Hyslop Does anyone know why is it called 'the Barber'? Is it after someone of that name? Corrie van Wyk Thank you for choosing my photo!
Heather Newby wow.. is that you!?!.. nice to meet you.great photo.. captures the barber perfectly!.do you have any more photos of the coast?
Corrie van Wyk Heather Newby Yes I do and will post some soon.
Pauline Thompson So remember as a kid living there
Marie Summers Looks like a tidal wave over the hills
Sarah Veller Douglas Smales You still going. ?
Rachael Smythe Brrr feel the cold right to your bones - walking over that Cobden bridge
Joy Beveridge Grandmother lived in Cobden for years, school holidays spent there...
Keith Williams I grew up in Cobden and delivered The Press in the town area for years,so I remember 'The Barber' well ! I'd get home to thaw out and change,then bike through it again going to school. As a couple of people have noted,it was so named because "it could cut you in half".
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West Coast New Zealand History (9th May 2020). The 'Barber' Greymouths infamous wind.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 4th Apr 2026 02:38, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/11827