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The Ōtira tunnel
PlaceOtiraMore InformationRead more about the Ōtira Tunnel from Engineering NZ
Despite the changeable climate, rough living conditions and isolation, the community spirit in the workers’ villages was strong. Women worked hard to support their families and make the best of a difficult environment. They organised events such as dances, picnics, and concerts which, along with firm but fair policing, and sport, helped to balance the hard drinking, gambling, and fighting culture of tunnelling life.
Image: Railway workers' huts on the main street of Bealey Flat, c1910. Courtesy of Arthur's Pass Archives.
A large crowd of workers and dignitaries attended the opening of the tunnel on 4 August 1923 by Prime Minister William Massey at ?tira. Tributes were paid both to the tunnellers and to ‘the brave women who had lived at ?tira Tunnel under such adverse conditions for so many years.’ Massey was presented with a commemorative 18ct gold medal by storekeeper John Hoglund of Springfield. Snow began to fall at the end of the day as the Christchurch train carrying the official party left ?tira, through a ribbon held by tunnel workers.
Image: John Hoglund with William Massey holding the commemorative medal at ?tira, 4 August 1923. Image courtesy of Arthur's Pass Archives and Chris Stewart.
On display
Celebration ribbon (replica). As the official party left the ceremony aboard the Christchurch train, tunnel workers stretched ribbon across the railway line for it to drive through. A scrap of the original ribbon survives today in the Arthur's Pass Alpine Museum, visible at this link:
These images, stories and more can be found in the book celebrating 100 years of the Ōtira Tunnel Through the Alps: the Ōtira Railway Tunnel, by Bruce Shalders, Chris Stewart and Diane Gordon-Burns (2023), available to borrow from Selwyn Libraries.
