Hopwood Clock Tower

The Hopwood Clock Tower, also known as Kerei Te Panau, but most commonly known simply as The Clock Tower, is a clock tower located in the centre of The Square in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The tower is named after local businessman Arthur Hopwood who paid for it to be constructed in 1953.[1] The Maori name for the clock tower 'Kerei Te Panau' comes from the name of a local Rangitane chieftain.

Hopwood Clock Tower
Kerei Te Panau
The Clock Tower mid Summer
Alternative namesThe Clock Tower, Hopwood's Tower
General information
TypeClock Tower
LocationPalmerston North, New Zealand
Coordinates40°21′23″S 175°36′40.82″E
Construction startedc.1953
Estimated completion1957
CostApprox. £10,000
Technical details
Floor count6

The modern tower has two luminous features, a 'lantern cross' at its top and light-up glass panes at the base.

History

Originally housed in the city's post office on Main Street, the clock (which is named Kerei Te Panau after a local Rangitāne chieftain) was removed following the 1942 Wairarapa earthquake for safety reasons and placed into storage. In 1953 local business man Arthur Hopwood, whose family owned a hardware store, paid £10,000 for the council to build a new tower to house the clock. The tower was completed some time in 1957. A band rotunda was demolished to make way for the new tower.

The tower has been renovated many times since its construction. During the early 1960s, a stone cross was added atop the tower. The sound shell at the tower's base was removed c. 1990.[2] During the refurbishment of The Square in the mid 2000s the building was checked against modern building regulations and was deemed that significant strengthening was needed. The tower was demolished and renewed with a stronger structure that matched the old design. The lantern section was added during this process also. This lantern features a cross inside, a symbol which divided the community as to whether it was appropriate.[3] This process was completed in March 2007 and cost $1.7 million.[4]

References
  1. "'New' Palmerston North Clock Tower, The Square". Manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  2. "Clock Tower in the Square, looking towards Rangitikei Street". Manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  3. "Hopwood Clock Tower". Manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  4. "Hopwood Clock Tower : ECI Enables Innovation" (PDF). Buildmagazine.org.nz. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
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