Auckland Zoo in its 90th year

December this year is the 90th anniversary of Auckland Zoo.  That isn't why I popped over to visit, just after photographing fire engines at MOTAT. I just decided to have a wander about, by myself (other visits were with others, so I couldn't really plan my own time) for a $22 adult ticket. Worthwhile, as I did enjoy myself.

At the Motion's Road entry, a sign telling you that here is the Auckland Zoo.

Just inside, I question whether this memorial is in its original position, seeing as the Motions Road entry wasn't opened up until the 1960s. (Update 1 June 2012: Liz has just pointed out -- and I should have thought of it myself -- that the plaque has the wrong date. The zoo was officially opened, with all pomp, ceremony and famous faces, on Saturday, 16 December 1922, not the 17th as someone has gone to considerable expense back in time to basicaly chisel in stone. Oh dear.)

The zoo grounds, looking west toward Point Chevalier, 11 February 1925. Ref 1-W654, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Library

 1940 aerial. Auckland Council GIS.

In 1940, the zoo was virtually half the size. In 1961, the area of the former transit camp to the south was incorporated into the complex, and today houses the Pridelands exhibits.

2008 aerial, Auckland Council GIS

Zoo Plan (.pdf). This, though, did not stop me getting terribly lost ...

Possibly one of  artist Jeff Thomson's herd of 13 elephants which graced Albert Park in 1985.

On to Pridelands.

Zebra, likely 1920s. Ref 35-R164, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Library.

 Possibly 1920s. Ref 35-R167, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Part of the original 1920s redevelopment and landscaping of the site, I do like this bridge. It helped me get the heck out of the Te Wai Nui exhibit when I got lost and confused in a maze of pathways and security gates. Climbing the steps up to the bridge helped me get home. I therefore have a great fondness and appreciation for this bridge. (Memo to the Zoo -- please make things easier for the easily confused, such as myself. Ta.)

A model kauri timber dam. Well, that's what the info panel said ...

I blundered into the bush part of the Te Wai Nui exhibits. Trying to get out -- I spotted the kereru (native wood pigeon). The shots aren't the best, but -- it's the first time I've seen the species alive.

Artificial whale bones?

This is the entry. I, of course, did things the wrong way ...

The meerkat just beyond caught my eye.

I didn't cover the whole zoo -- hot day, tired feet, and a strong urge to go home commanded that a visit to the tiger enclosure was my last destination.

Gradually, I worked out a good vantage point from which to photograph the tiger far below.

Then told others there of the good spot.

I hope to return later this year, to see what the rest of the place is like, so there could be a Zoo Part 2 post. As a rather jaded person when it comes to zoos and other wild animal collections, and their place in conservation/education etc, I must say that, yes, the $22 was worth it for a bit of a look.

Update: Yes -- here's part 2.

Woods' Store, Mt Eden Road

The phone rings before 8 am this morning. My friend Robert (Bob) Kinnear, whose ancestor Henry Woods built this store at 151 Mt Eden Road, corner of Esplanade, and operated it in the early 20th century, had seen bulldozers hard at work at the rear of the building, and was quite concerned. He asked if I'd got out there with him to take a look. I said, "Pick me up at 9 am," giving me enough time to pour some coffee down the throat, get myself up to a reasonably respectable standard of dress and dental hygiene, to meet him down by the letterbox (he offered me a lift.)

Grocer Henry Woods (left, courtesy Robert Kinnear) formally purchased the site at the corner of Mt Eden and Esplanade Roads in July 1906 for £350. He was, however, most likely to have already been operating his business there much earlier; he arrived in Auckland around 1899.

With mortgages obtained in 1906, he set about expanding and enlarging the original store to the iconic landmark it is today. Woods joined the Auckland Master Grocers’ Association after World War 1, later becoming chairman of the New Zealand Association. In 1925, he was first chairman for Foodstuffs Ltd, known as owners of the 4 Square chain of stores, His son Edward, who took over the Mt Eden store from his father with his brother George, also became a chairman of Foodstuffs for a period. The building remained in Woods family ownership until 1971, and has been adapted for various retail purposes, including a restaurant.

The original Woods store, pre 1906 ...

... and the post 1906 version, which is as it is today. Both photos, courtesy Robert Kinnear.

On arrival, I could see this wasn't wholesale demolition. Only the single storey addition at the end was gone. An internal door can be see on the left, but this apparently hadn't been in use for ages (the paper which had covered it over was still stuck to the panels). The chimney was being slowly and carefully dismantled, with bricks piled up neatly at the rear of the property.

Bob had been concerned that the whole thing was somehow under threat. He'd tried asking for info a day ago from the grocer's shop which was still operating on the corner, but hadn't had much luck.

I went in there as he was buying batteries this morning, and asked the owner of the store whether he was remaining there. Assured that yes, he was, I then asked, "Well, what's happening?"

It appears that, no, the demolition isn't going to affect the main part of the building. Some of the shops fronting Mt Eden Road look like repiling is being done, and when Bob and I chatted with a nice guy working for the company doing the work, Silk Construction, he was thrilled to meet Bob, learn that Bob was a descendant of Henry Woods, and had the historic photos. Off they went to copy them -- their intent, so we heard, was to build at the end to a design in keeping with the existing old building. They appreciated learning about the history, and seeing Bob's family photos, saying that would help them in the reconstruction. We were told that they were in contact with George Farrant, at Auckland Council, which was great news.

They even, quite happily, gave Bob three Glenburn bricks from the courtyard/driveway (possibly dating from 1920s-1930s).

So, Bob came away much relieved that his ancestor's store was not under threat. He went on to tell me that this house, across the road on Esplanade, was where the Woods family lived.

Compare with Bob's photos below.

So, at the end of the wee excursion to Mt Eden on a sunny Tuesday morning, I was dropped off back home, and now posting this. If I can, I'll head back later on to see what eventuates from the work there -- and to see just what they do put up at the back of a landmark.

13 August 2012: Latest update, via email from George Farrant, Auckland Council (thanks, George!)
"To update re Woods (as at 12 August): The old store has been jacked level around the decayed street perimeter and repiled; the street verandah has now been dismantled (see above), and the chimney (see above also) has now been accurately and stably re-erected using the saved original bricks - as it was outside the wall line of the original store being restored, it has been rebuilt on the first masonry part of the emerging new building beyond.

"The main brick party wall of the old store (facing Mt Eden) has now been structurally supported on a steel frame structure hidden inside the old building.

"The new building will shortly be out of the ground...

"More later."

Website for the Auckland Fire Brigade Historical Society

Auckland Weekly News, 18 October 1906, AWNS-1906-10-18-11-2, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Library

The Auckland Fire Brigade Historical Society have just launched their website. They will be adding to it over time, but already it looks impressive. Check it out.