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Blackwater School near Waiuta
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DescriptionSecond pic Geoffrey Butler
From Facebook
CommentsJenny Dickson
Sat at the old desks and thought how stark a school room was in those days. Agree that it needs some TLC.
May be an image of text that says '5:57 < Search Ikamatua 12 March 2021 4:58PM O LIVE Edit
Steph JF
Yes been there. You can feel the pupils & teacher. Very special
Robin James
Loved the charts on the wall .Could almost visualise a class sitting here.pleased to see entry so easy and equipment /furniture etc respected by viewers.
Gwen Gardner
My fathers sister who lived at springs junction
Went to school at Rahu….
Interesting tho that there is this at Blackwater school…
Fay Blackadder’s died when she was 7
May be an image of diary and text
Wade Turner
Been there a few times now absolutely love the place!!! Would be cool to have the fire going sometime.
Marie Summers
Thats a cool building
Michael Mclauglin
Should be restored before it rots away
Stuart Chapman
Yes took my 84 yr old father who spent time in his younger years at Waiuta
Robyn Deane
Yep cool place.. we need to protecet these historic buildings
Sherron Harrison
My grandparents lived in Blackwater from around late 50's until my mother sold the house a few years back. Most wonderful memories of holidays there. I also had the privilege of writing the class list board above the fireplace in the 80's.
Gwen Gardner
Be interested to hear anyone’s comments….
Brian Steele
The Bannans were a well known family in the area way back then . One of the boys was Alf..
Alf went on to fly in Lancaster and other bombers over many missions over europe during WW2..
Isnt it amazing what people from these isolated areas did later in their lives. .
Alf told some amazing stories about some of missions he flew on .
Some were famous events during the war..
It's people like Alf that we ought to be thanking for the freedom we have today.
Glenn Johnston
Yes, have visited a few times. Most recently on 30 Dec 2023. Was never a pupil though. I think that late Bob Neilson whose father was a dredge master attended this school.
Robert Edwards
I were there last week, they are doing a bit of work on it, looks like replaceing so rotton timber
Phyllis Aberhart
I've stopped an had a look a couple of times
Kate Holley
Aureen Morris we will have to go here and find Aunty Kittys seat
Jim Staton
Have done a measured of the Blackwater School which has been used in a conservation plan for this building, progress is somewhat slow with restoration due to funding. But much has been done over the past few years, certainly needs to be preserved. Built 1912 - 13.
Bob Adele Johnston
my father was born there i have read books about it and they have spent a lot of money there just to make it safe for people well worth the look great history
Kelvin Pawson
can you drive into the town or is it a long walk as wife cant walk far?
Casey Pearl
Awesome place to see great history! Loved it everytime and what a beautiful drive too!
Blackwater School
Author
It's so great to read all these stories! Thanks for replying
If anyone has any photos or would be OK with us using their story on our website (www.blackwaterschool.co.nz) please send us an email at hello@blackwaterschool.co.nz.
The Friends of Blackwater Group have been working hard to secure funding and continue the refurbishment. They mainly rely on donations and have recently replaced/repaired the roof which was pretty costly. If you'd like to donate to help keep the school refurbishment going, you can donate through online banking:
Account name : Reefton Inc
Account number: 02-0880-0059114-003
Reference: Blackwater School
There's also the potential to organise some working bees so if anyone would like to donate time or skills, please also get in touch
BLACKWATERSCHOOL.CO.NZ
www.blackwaterschool.co.nz
www.blackwaterschool.co.nz
Marie Morel Ericksen
Yes l have been there
Karen Thomson
My grandmother Mary Ellen Meates & my great uncle, her brother Hugh were the first students into the school, my great grandfather William(Bill) Meates being one of the 4 miners who discovered the Reef. He gave Waiuta it's name as Postmaster & wrote numerous letters to Wellington to get the school opened. Proud to be part of Waiuta's history!
Rob Lunn
Where as I have worked up there in the forestry industry which harvested the very best of pine trees in what was called the Carabue block which was all on old gold workings at that time the school was still standing haven’t been back since but that area is humming at the moment
Phyllis Aberhart
Iv enjoyed my stops there to have a look at the old school when I pass it
Bruce Whitfield
Wow...do look after it....it's priceless history.
Marilyn Hopkins
A few yards away from where I am the mannequin is mine,,,, I dressed her as a teacher
Florence Gunn
Maybe people have had ashes laid there .So much history there.
Sat at the old desks and thought how stark a school room was in those days. Agree that it needs some TLC.
May be an image of text that says '5:57 < Search Ikamatua 12 March 2021 4:58PM O LIVE Edit
Steph JF
Yes been there. You can feel the pupils & teacher. Very special
Robin James
Loved the charts on the wall .Could almost visualise a class sitting here.pleased to see entry so easy and equipment /furniture etc respected by viewers.
Gwen Gardner
My fathers sister who lived at springs junction
Went to school at Rahu….
Interesting tho that there is this at Blackwater school…
Fay Blackadder’s died when she was 7
May be an image of diary and text
Wade Turner
Been there a few times now absolutely love the place!!! Would be cool to have the fire going sometime.
Marie Summers
Thats a cool building
Michael Mclauglin
Should be restored before it rots away
Stuart Chapman
Yes took my 84 yr old father who spent time in his younger years at Waiuta
Robyn Deane
Yep cool place.. we need to protecet these historic buildings
Sherron Harrison
My grandparents lived in Blackwater from around late 50's until my mother sold the house a few years back. Most wonderful memories of holidays there. I also had the privilege of writing the class list board above the fireplace in the 80's.
Gwen Gardner
Be interested to hear anyone’s comments….
Brian Steele
The Bannans were a well known family in the area way back then . One of the boys was Alf..
Alf went on to fly in Lancaster and other bombers over many missions over europe during WW2..
Isnt it amazing what people from these isolated areas did later in their lives. .
Alf told some amazing stories about some of missions he flew on .
Some were famous events during the war..
It's people like Alf that we ought to be thanking for the freedom we have today.
Glenn Johnston
Yes, have visited a few times. Most recently on 30 Dec 2023. Was never a pupil though. I think that late Bob Neilson whose father was a dredge master attended this school.
Robert Edwards
I were there last week, they are doing a bit of work on it, looks like replaceing so rotton timber
Phyllis Aberhart
I've stopped an had a look a couple of times
Kate Holley
Aureen Morris we will have to go here and find Aunty Kittys seat
Jim Staton
Have done a measured of the Blackwater School which has been used in a conservation plan for this building, progress is somewhat slow with restoration due to funding. But much has been done over the past few years, certainly needs to be preserved. Built 1912 - 13.
Bob Adele Johnston
my father was born there i have read books about it and they have spent a lot of money there just to make it safe for people well worth the look great history
Kelvin Pawson
can you drive into the town or is it a long walk as wife cant walk far?
Casey Pearl
Awesome place to see great history! Loved it everytime and what a beautiful drive too!
Blackwater School
Author
It's so great to read all these stories! Thanks for replying
If anyone has any photos or would be OK with us using their story on our website (www.blackwaterschool.co.nz) please send us an email at hello@blackwaterschool.co.nz.
The Friends of Blackwater Group have been working hard to secure funding and continue the refurbishment. They mainly rely on donations and have recently replaced/repaired the roof which was pretty costly. If you'd like to donate to help keep the school refurbishment going, you can donate through online banking:
Account name : Reefton Inc
Account number: 02-0880-0059114-003
Reference: Blackwater School
There's also the potential to organise some working bees so if anyone would like to donate time or skills, please also get in touch
BLACKWATERSCHOOL.CO.NZ
www.blackwaterschool.co.nz
www.blackwaterschool.co.nz
Marie Morel Ericksen
Yes l have been there
Karen Thomson
My grandmother Mary Ellen Meates & my great uncle, her brother Hugh were the first students into the school, my great grandfather William(Bill) Meates being one of the 4 miners who discovered the Reef. He gave Waiuta it's name as Postmaster & wrote numerous letters to Wellington to get the school opened. Proud to be part of Waiuta's history!
Rob Lunn
Where as I have worked up there in the forestry industry which harvested the very best of pine trees in what was called the Carabue block which was all on old gold workings at that time the school was still standing haven’t been back since but that area is humming at the moment
Phyllis Aberhart
Iv enjoyed my stops there to have a look at the old school when I pass it
Bruce Whitfield
Wow...do look after it....it's priceless history.
Marilyn Hopkins
A few yards away from where I am the mannequin is mine,,,, I dressed her as a teacher
Florence Gunn
Maybe people have had ashes laid there .So much history there.
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West Coast New Zealand History (22nd Oct 2024). Blackwater School near Waiuta. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 29th Mar 2026 10:26, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/33155