Ōtira Tunnel - 16 years in the making!
A DigitalNZ Story by squiggle_top
It was a significant undertaking to construct a tunnel to shorten the travel time between the east and west coasts of the South Island of New Zealand.
ōtira tunnel
After 16 years of construction (1908 -1923), the opening of the Ōtira Tunnel was welcomed as a marvel of modern engineering.
Despite the number of significant challenges throughout its construction (including strikes, injuries and deaths, a shortage of workers due to the war, and stoppages due to weather and resource shortages) the accuracy and straightness of the tunnel were remarkable.
As steam trains were not suitable in this tunnel environment, electric trains were used in the Ōtira Tunnel, which was one of the longest tunnels in the world at the time of its completion in 1923.
Milestone moments were also celebrated, including the "piercing" of the tunnel in 1918, where the two tunnels worked from each entrance met for the first time.
1906. Some of the difficulties ahead.
Outlines what is planned for tunnel construction, including engineering, resources, workers, food and overall costs.
National Library of New Zealand
1907. Plan showing Arthur's Pass Tunnel.
Christchurch City Libraries
Work begins in 1908 and the tunnel is officially opened in 1923
1908
The beginning of the work, even with torrential rain to mark the day!
National Library of New Zealand
Construction images
Pictures and stories regularly appeared in newspapers about the progress of the construction work.
1908
Building work on the Otira tunnel begins.
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
1908
The entrance to the Ōtira Tunnel.
Auckland Libraries
1909
Photo of men working on the Ōtira Tunnel at Slovens' Creek.
Auckland Libraries
1910
Preparing the Bealy entrance to the Ōtira tunnel.
Auckland Libraries
1912
Entrance to the Otira tunnel.
Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum
1912
Photo montage of construction progress
Auckland Libraries
1914
The four o'clock shift going on.
Christchurch City Libraries
1917
Group of tunnellers at the work face of the five mile long Ōtira Tunnel.
Auckland Libraries
1919
A group of workmen about to enter the Ōtira tunnel, seated on rail transports.
Wairarapa Archive
circa 1920
Workers outside the tunnel.
Alexander Turnbull Library
Piercing of the tunnel - 1918 milestone celebrated
Ceremony to mark the piercing milestone
Auckland Libraries
Reporting ahead of the official opening
1922 the first railway wagon through the tunnel
Auckland Libraries
1923 Prime Minister travels through the tunnel
Auckland Libraries
1923 Concerns at the total cost of this tunnel project
Auckland Libraries
Official opening on 4 August 1923
Workers camps
As construction was undertaken from both sides, two workers camps were built to house the workmen.
1908
Some of the workmen's huts.
Auckland Libraries
1909
Snowfall at the worker's camp
Auckland Libraries
1909
Update about the worker's camp, additional workers and progress so far.
National Library of New Zealand
Housing the workers
Workers camps were constructed at both ends of the tunnel, Bealey and Ōtira. 1917
Auckland Libraries
Electric train
As this tunnel was not suitable for steam trains, the electrification of the railway was another feature of this engineering undertaking.
New Zealand's longest electric railway
Auckland Libraries
1920s
Electric locomotive inside the Otira tunnel.
Auckland Libraries
1923
Electric locomotive.
Alexander Turnbull Library
1928
Shows electricity generation machinery at the Westland Company, Ōtira.
Alexander Turnbull Library
Accidents and fatalities
Work on this tunnel took almost 16 years to complete, there were a number of accidents and fatalities during this time. The complexity of access to both ends of the tunnel also proved challenging.
18 October 1909
First death at the Ōtira tunnel site, ruled an accident due to faulty fuse.
National Library of New Zealand
02 May 1910
Collapse of a sill at the Bealey end, with men trapped inside the tunnel.
Christchurch City Libraries
03 May 1910
The first cart away for Otira with the wounded and the nurse.
Christchurch City Libraries
03 May 1910
All trapped men and their rescuers declared safe.
National Library of New Zealand
04 May 1910
Sadly, one of the rescuers later died of injuries sustained during the rescue.
National Library of New Zealand
18 May 1910
While it was deemed an accidental death, changes to the types of timber used in the tunnel were recommended.
National Library of New Zealand
21 August 1912
National Library of New Zealand
Additional resources
- 'Rail tunnel pierces the Southern Alps 4 August 1923', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/otira-rail-tunnel-opened, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, updated 8-Oct-2021
- '1923: The Otira Rail Tunnel opens'. URL: https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/124540461/1923-the-otira-rail-tunnel-opens. Philip Matthews, 16 March 2021. Published as part of The Press 160 years series and revisits this event from 1923.
- 'Ōtira Tunnel', URL: https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/heritage-records/otira-tunnel/, Engineering New Zealand [n.d.]
Breaking through
DigitalNZ story celebrating the Otira Tunnel breakthrough
DigitalNZ
Up and over Arthur's Pass
DigitalNZ Story showing the journey through Arthur's Pass by coach
DigitalNZ