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Otira rock shelter - before and after.
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DescriptionHere is a photo of me at Reid's Fall back in the day,and today! I was only 10 there,My Dad HA(Bert)Grigg was the MOW Resident Engineer so I got good tours,graduated to Chaufeur,with the old Zephyr Mk2s and Mk3s-down to Haast also! Tony Summers had a tame fawn -Paringa Camp I think. Then I got a bike and raced mates on the Zig Zag,disc brakes were a lifesaver!Map[1] External LinkArthurs Pass ConstructionContributorAndy Grigg
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Location (city or town)Arthurs PassOtiraPersonAndy GriggLandmark (Place)Otira ViaductOtira rock shelterEventZig zag
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Category TagRoads
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LinkFacebookDate Created2017-09-07CommentsEmma Hands Kathy Sexton wow
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Kathy Sexton
Kathy Sexton I reckon aye :)
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Laura Mills Detlaff
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Kay Slattery
Kay Slattery We used to hitch a ride on a train to Arthurs in the school holidays and walk back to Otira just for something to do, that was before the new road ofcourse .
1
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Like · Reply · 1h
Bronwyn Carlisle
Bronwyn Carlisle So the lookout where all the kea are is part of the old road? Must have a look next time I’m up there.
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Like · Reply · 1h
Mike Roberts
Mike Roberts I never thought about that, would be worth a walk with the camera to check out the zig zag
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Like · Reply · 1h
Ellen Nankivell
Ellen Nankivell Had driven over the zig zag road many times very scary at night !!
1
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Like · Reply · 1h
Kay Slattery
Kay Slattery Specially if it was raining!
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Like · Reply · 1h
Ellen Nankivell
Ellen Nankivell One night driving over the said road which wasn't tar sealed I was follow the grader tracks when something kept telling me to stop so I did took the torch out of the glove box and viewed my surroundings and I found I was only about 6 feet from going over the edge, the snow plough had been pushing the snow over the edge and I had been following it.
1
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Laura Mills Detlaff
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Lindsay Thompson
Lindsay Thompson Drove my Mini Van over the zig zag back in the '70s many times. Poor car. I felt sorry for it.
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Ally J Melse
Ally J Melse Can you walk the old road at all?
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Andy Grigg
Andy Grigg Dunno,will try next time!
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Like · Reply · 1h
Wendy Bruce
Wendy Bruce It’s a hard slog on foot but was worth it.
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Like · Reply · 1h
Timo Costelloe
Timo Costelloe Used to travel that road a lot as a kid. The top of Arthur's Pass was definitely a highlight. Now it's boring.
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Like · Reply · 1h
Wayne Nicholson
Wayne Nicholson Try doing it in an old flathead Ford V8, hot day, fuel starvation in the carb bowl and having to reverse all the way up the ZigZag with all the passengers walking ! Fun times.
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Like · Reply · 1h
Judy Nicoll
Judy Nicoll yes i remember my father having to back a singer 9 up that when it was still shingle, scary!!!!
1
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Like · Reply · 58m
Laura Mills Detlaff
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John Wilkins
John Wilkins Was blody good road certainly made real trickier out of most drivers using the old road
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Like · Reply · 1h
Alan Walton
Alan Walton
GIPHY
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Like · Reply · 1h
John Wilkins
John Wilkins Got caught doing a runner with full b train several times the cop use to hide behind a big rock on one of the corners going down the hill
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Like · Reply · 1h
Ellen Nankivell
Ellen Nankivell the stories that could be told about that road right back to the horse and cart days would make reading very interesting.
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Like · Reply · 54m
Rob Uddstrom
Rob Uddstrom My grandmother used to tell me they had to get out and help push the stage coach on the tricky sections.
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Like · Reply · 40m
Pam Englefield-Absolum
Pam Englefield-Absolum Remember your dad and mother.
1
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Like · Reply · 39m
Sandy Brears
Sandy Brears I remember people being caught in the first ford up in the Otira gorge in the late fifties. The kids where wearing our cloths theirs went off into the river from the roof of their car
1
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Like · Reply · 36m
Wayne Nicholson
Wayne Nicholson Then there were the 3 fords on the Bealy side- hit and miss at the best .
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Like · Reply · 35m
Sandy Brears
Sandy Brears Oh yes that was APNP side
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Like · Reply · 32m
Wayne Nicholson
Wayne Nicholson Sandy Brears . Ooops, Canterbury - not West Coast. My bad.
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Like · Reply · 31m
Laura Mills Detlaff
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Dorothy Wills
Dorothy Wills A wonderful photo showing the new road as well
1
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Like · Reply · 29m
Albie Rose
Albie Rose Shaun Rose great shots
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Like · Reply · 15m
Sam Mitchell
Sam Mitchell Good memories of walking down the zig zags with mum in the snow at night.
Or riding over with mum holding the door open, just in case.
Was always an adventure taking a trip to Christchurch
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Like · Reply · 14m
Laura Mills Detlaff
Laura Mills Detlaff Admins T
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Like · Reply · 2m
Margaretandles Reynolds
Margaretandles Reynolds The only part that had me holding my breath was the bit that kept slipping away. My dad worked on the Otira road with the M.O.W. back in the 60's. Wish he had lived long enough to experience the Viaduct, he would have loved it. Great photo.
Moi Mclaughlin
I remember a few years before the viaduct, following a guy in a convertible car top down going through Arthurs Pass smiling to myself knowing how much rain we had had he was going to get very wet - and I was right a very soggy wee car emerged out from under the waterfall
Mary Taggart
Once saw a young women taking a shower under there.
Jenny Harris
Mary Taggart that would of hurt
Lewis Williams
I used to fill a couple of flagons from there when I went past Beautiful drinking water
Helen Joan Forrest
Thank you for sharing this. I so admire the guys who spent the time creating a safe road for us to travel on.
Graham Ngatuere
You used to be able to drink that water..
d
Christopher Hutching
I'm sure you still can, only a problem on the plains
Moi Mclaughlin
I remember a few years before the viaduct, following a guy in a convertible car top down going through Arthurs Pass smiling to myself knowing how much rain we had had he was going to get very wet and I was right a very soggy wee car emerged out from under the waterfall
Mary Taggart
Once saw a young women taking a shower under there.
Jenny Harris
Mary Taggart that would of hurt
Lewis Williams
I used to fill a couple of flagons from there when I went past Beautiful drinking water
Helen Joan Forrest
Thank you for sharing this. I so admire the guys who spent the time creating a safe road for us to travel on.
Graham Ngatuere
You used to be able to drink that water..
Christopher Hutching
I'm sure you still can, only a problem on the plains
Anita Brim
We lived next door to you in Tindale Road. We remember your family and your mum’s marmalade tarts and lemon honey- delicious! Julie ( née Brimicombe)
Andy Grigg
Hey, long time! Those were good days! Mum and Dad loved being amongst the West Coasters, for myself It was an education... brother Rob and I live here still. Rob is in Runanga and I have built up the Arahura Valley. No place like home!Sandra Arnott
Knew him well,I worked at MOW at this time!
Sara McMurray
I always give a "toot " when driving under these
James Rob
Sara McMurray me too. A pretty childish thing for us oldies to do aye
Trish Rennie
My father Len Jarden worked in the MOW test lab at that time and held Bert Grigg and Peter Kerrs opinions in the highest regard….
Alan Beck
Your Dad took Arthur and I on a trip to Haast, 1969. That January before getting a job or going to Uni.
Jessie Guy
A great road, awesome views
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Like · Reply · 1h
Kathy Sexton
Kathy Sexton I reckon aye :)
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Laura Mills Detlaff
Write a reply...
Kay Slattery
Kay Slattery We used to hitch a ride on a train to Arthurs in the school holidays and walk back to Otira just for something to do, that was before the new road ofcourse .
1
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Bronwyn Carlisle
Bronwyn Carlisle So the lookout where all the kea are is part of the old road? Must have a look next time I’m up there.
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Mike Roberts
Mike Roberts I never thought about that, would be worth a walk with the camera to check out the zig zag
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Ellen Nankivell
Ellen Nankivell Had driven over the zig zag road many times very scary at night !!
1
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Kay Slattery
Kay Slattery Specially if it was raining!
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Ellen Nankivell
Ellen Nankivell One night driving over the said road which wasn't tar sealed I was follow the grader tracks when something kept telling me to stop so I did took the torch out of the glove box and viewed my surroundings and I found I was only about 6 feet from going over the edge, the snow plough had been pushing the snow over the edge and I had been following it.
1
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Laura Mills Detlaff
Write a reply...
Lindsay Thompson
Lindsay Thompson Drove my Mini Van over the zig zag back in the '70s many times. Poor car. I felt sorry for it.
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Ally J Melse
Ally J Melse Can you walk the old road at all?
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Andy Grigg
Andy Grigg Dunno,will try next time!
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Wendy Bruce
Wendy Bruce It’s a hard slog on foot but was worth it.
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Timo Costelloe
Timo Costelloe Used to travel that road a lot as a kid. The top of Arthur's Pass was definitely a highlight. Now it's boring.
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Wayne Nicholson
Wayne Nicholson Try doing it in an old flathead Ford V8, hot day, fuel starvation in the carb bowl and having to reverse all the way up the ZigZag with all the passengers walking ! Fun times.
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Judy Nicoll
Judy Nicoll yes i remember my father having to back a singer 9 up that when it was still shingle, scary!!!!
1
Manage
Like · Reply · 58m
Laura Mills Detlaff
Write a reply...
John Wilkins
John Wilkins Was blody good road certainly made real trickier out of most drivers using the old road
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Alan Walton
Alan Walton
GIPHY
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
John Wilkins
John Wilkins Got caught doing a runner with full b train several times the cop use to hide behind a big rock on one of the corners going down the hill
Manage
Like · Reply · 1h
Ellen Nankivell
Ellen Nankivell the stories that could be told about that road right back to the horse and cart days would make reading very interesting.
Manage
Like · Reply · 54m
Rob Uddstrom
Rob Uddstrom My grandmother used to tell me they had to get out and help push the stage coach on the tricky sections.
Manage
Like · Reply · 40m
Pam Englefield-Absolum
Pam Englefield-Absolum Remember your dad and mother.
1
Manage
Like · Reply · 39m
Sandy Brears
Sandy Brears I remember people being caught in the first ford up in the Otira gorge in the late fifties. The kids where wearing our cloths theirs went off into the river from the roof of their car
1
Manage
Like · Reply · 36m
Wayne Nicholson
Wayne Nicholson Then there were the 3 fords on the Bealy side- hit and miss at the best .
Manage
Like · Reply · 35m
Sandy Brears
Sandy Brears Oh yes that was APNP side
Manage
Like · Reply · 32m
Wayne Nicholson
Wayne Nicholson Sandy Brears . Ooops, Canterbury - not West Coast. My bad.
Manage
Like · Reply · 31m
Laura Mills Detlaff
Write a reply...
Dorothy Wills
Dorothy Wills A wonderful photo showing the new road as well
1
Manage
Like · Reply · 29m
Albie Rose
Albie Rose Shaun Rose great shots
Manage
Like · Reply · 15m
Sam Mitchell
Sam Mitchell Good memories of walking down the zig zags with mum in the snow at night.
Or riding over with mum holding the door open, just in case.
Was always an adventure taking a trip to Christchurch
Manage
Like · Reply · 14m
Laura Mills Detlaff
Laura Mills Detlaff Admins T
Manage
Like · Reply · 2m
Margaretandles Reynolds
Margaretandles Reynolds The only part that had me holding my breath was the bit that kept slipping away. My dad worked on the Otira road with the M.O.W. back in the 60's. Wish he had lived long enough to experience the Viaduct, he would have loved it. Great photo.
Moi Mclaughlin
I remember a few years before the viaduct, following a guy in a convertible car top down going through Arthurs Pass smiling to myself knowing how much rain we had had he was going to get very wet - and I was right a very soggy wee car emerged out from under the waterfall
Mary Taggart
Once saw a young women taking a shower under there.
Jenny Harris
Mary Taggart that would of hurt
Lewis Williams
I used to fill a couple of flagons from there when I went past Beautiful drinking water
Helen Joan Forrest
Thank you for sharing this. I so admire the guys who spent the time creating a safe road for us to travel on.
Graham Ngatuere
You used to be able to drink that water..
d
Christopher Hutching
I'm sure you still can, only a problem on the plains
Moi Mclaughlin
I remember a few years before the viaduct, following a guy in a convertible car top down going through Arthurs Pass smiling to myself knowing how much rain we had had he was going to get very wet and I was right a very soggy wee car emerged out from under the waterfall
Mary Taggart
Once saw a young women taking a shower under there.
Jenny Harris
Mary Taggart that would of hurt
Lewis Williams
I used to fill a couple of flagons from there when I went past Beautiful drinking water
Helen Joan Forrest
Thank you for sharing this. I so admire the guys who spent the time creating a safe road for us to travel on.
Graham Ngatuere
You used to be able to drink that water..
Christopher Hutching
I'm sure you still can, only a problem on the plains
Anita Brim
We lived next door to you in Tindale Road. We remember your family and your mum’s marmalade tarts and lemon honey- delicious! Julie ( née Brimicombe)
Andy Grigg
Hey, long time! Those were good days! Mum and Dad loved being amongst the West Coasters, for myself It was an education... brother Rob and I live here still. Rob is in Runanga and I have built up the Arahura Valley. No place like home!Sandra Arnott
Knew him well,I worked at MOW at this time!
Sara McMurray
I always give a "toot " when driving under these
James Rob
Sara McMurray me too. A pretty childish thing for us oldies to do aye
Trish Rennie
My father Len Jarden worked in the MOW test lab at that time and held Bert Grigg and Peter Kerrs opinions in the highest regard….
Alan Beck
Your Dad took Arthur and I on a trip to Haast, 1969. That January before getting a job or going to Uni.
Jessie Guy
A great road, awesome views
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West Coast New Zealand History (21st Apr 2023). Otira rock shelter - before and after.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 19th Mar 2026 08:24, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23845