05/10/2026
A building that once made am******on for New Zealand’s war effort is now being brought back to life as a place for people to make things of a very different kind.
Built in 1942, this old timber building in East Hamilton’s Flynn Park was part of the Colonial Am******on Company factory, employing up to 1,200 people, and more than half of them women.
After sitting empty for six years, it’s now being transformed into the Community Woodcraft and Arts Hub, the new home of the Waikato Guild of Woodworkers. The space will eventually host hands-on workshops, youth programmes, community groups and public exhibitions.
The Guild approached Waikato Master Plumbers for help, and around 12 local plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers have volunteered their time, from project managers through to 3rd and 4th-year Masterlink apprentices. Masterlink covered the apprentices’ time, giving them the chance to be part of the project alongside the wider team.
There was plenty to work through. The water and power had been off for years, and with no plans showing where the services ran, the team had to start by working out exactly what was actually there.
Behind the old walls, they also uncovered chalk writing left by factory workers more than 80 years ago, including their handwritten lists of wounded workers and prisoners of war. Some of it has now been preserved and displayed behind vision panels for visitors to see.
Plumbing World NZ , GWA, Marley Trade and Rheem New Zealand all donated products for the project, including sanitaryware, a hot water cylinder, pipework and fittings. Stage two of the project is due to get underway soon.
Projects like this are a big part of what makes the Kava Cup such a special award. It recognises Master Plumbers branches that get behind worthwhile local causes and make a difference in their wider community.
Well done, Waikato. A pretty special bit of mahi. 👏🏆
