View of the back of Te Waimate Woolshed while undergoing repairs. Photo: Michael Simpson
The South Island's oldest working woolshed is getting some much needed repairs after nearly 170 years in operation.
The woolshed on Te Waimate Station in Waimate was built in 1855 by the Studholme Brothers with 100,000 sheep being shorn annually in the 22 shearing stands.
Remarkably it is still in use today however it has started to show its age, in 2022 the back side of the woolshed began to sink, the piles were rotting in the damp ground, beneath a build-up of sheep debris.
Through a grant from Heritage New Zealand's Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund, station owners Henry and Katie Studholme were able to employ builder Michael Simpson to get started on timber repairs.
Simpson, who is no stranger to repairing heritage buildings, has been working on the woolshed part-time for over a year now - rebuilding the south side of the woolshed from the ground up.
He has repaired most of the tōtara joists, piles and beams, by splicing in new wood.
"The quality of the tōtara timber is extraordinary, even the wood that was under mud and water only needed about 300mm replaced off the ends.
"There's been very little wastage as I've been able to reuse most of the original wood. I've worn out many saw blades because the wood is so hard."
Michael Simpson at Te Waimate Station Photo: Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
He said he had thoroughly enjoying the project
"This woolshed has been added on to four or five times and uses so many different joinery techniques, part of the pleasure of it is I'm continuing to learn and to refine my skills."
Station owner Henry Studholme said he had been really impressed with Simpson's approach.
"Other builders might have said 'we'll rip the whole wall out, prop it up, rebuild it.' Whereas Michael has listened to the building. He's jacked the back wall up in sections and dealt with each piece of timber on a case-by-case basis.
"The change to the building is clear to see, the roof line of the south side is now straight instead of sunken, once the work is done, it will hopefully see our boys out."
Heritage New Zealand conservation advisor Mike Gillies who recently visited Te Waimate to view the progress of repairs was astounded by the sensitivity and quality of Simpson's work.
"We just don't see this level of workmanship. The attention to detail is fantastic."