The Waterwheel Historic Trust welcomes you to a piece of history in the making
1st Public Viewing of Waterwheel in operation

		Saturday marked the official opening of Kawerau's Waterwheel Heritage Park, which was launched at an open day at its Spencer Avenue site.
Waterwheel builder Stan Fretwell (right) said it was a fantastic day which attracted an estimated crowd of between 1500 and 2000 people throughout the morning. Mr Fretwell spent some 440 hours constructing the replica of the 150-year old wheel using the remains of the original wheel hub and rim section to estimate its dimensions.
The six-metre diameter wheel was transported from Mr Fretwell's Thorton yard to its new home at the park for the opening, where people had the opportunity to see it in operation for the first time. Blacksmiths, leather-makers and flax workers took part in the open day, for which a country and western band provided musical entertainment.Mr Fretwell said the heritage park would be "a hugely positive thing" for the town and it was heartening to see something he had been working on for 20 years get a step closer to fruition.
Vintage Fun: Waterwheel Heritage trustee Helen Stewart manned the gramophone at the launch of the long-awaited waterwheel in Kawerau.		Kawerau Mayor Malcolm Campbell opening proceedings
Article kindly supplied by Whakatane Beacon. Photos: Lindsay Riddick (Beacon)

Waterwheel on the move!

^{The Waterwheel Heritage Park would you acknowledge Franz Roosendaal for the YouTube links:
Part 2 of the video. Kawerau businesses putting the final touches to the great Fretwell wheel.}

View a selection movies from the Waterwheel Launch Day Waterwheel Heritage Park Launch part 2. Video from Frans Roozendaal Waterwheel Heritage Park Launch part 2. After months of planning and dedicated volunteer hours the Waterwheel Heritage Park Trust is now pleased to announce the official launch of the giant 6 metre diameter Waterwheel. Clydesdale horse's & the Dirty Spud Band: Clydesdale horses at the Kawerau Waterwheel Heritage Park Models Aircraft display at the Waterwheel Heritage Park Launch: Eastern Bay of Plenty Plastic Modellers Group Contact: Raymond Stewart, Phone 07 307 7101 Celtic music at the Waterwheel Heritage Park Launch Good Old Music at the Water Wheel Launch

Office address:

The Waterwheel
C/- Kawerau Enterprise Agency
60 Onslow Street, Kawerau,
Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Site address:

Spencer Avenue
Kawerau, New Zealand