Rotorua’s historic Seddon Memorial Town Clock is ticking once again after a $15,000 restoration, but the landmark’s famous Westminster chimes remain some way from returning.
The clock, which has watched over Rotorua’s city centre for more than 100 years, has been ringing again after Rotorua Lakes Council commissioned local clockmaker Blair Shallard to carry out specialist repairs.
Shallard, who also repaired the clock in 2021, said the custom, manually built nature of the parts made it a challenge.
"You either repair what’s there or make something new," he said.
“But the clock connects people to the past, to our city’s history."
Built in England by J B Joyce & Co, the clock features five solid brass bells weighing about 2.5 tonnes in total and has become one of Rotorua’s most recognisable heritage features.
But the clock’s age, combined with Rotorua’s sulphur and damp conditions, had contributed to wear and corrosion in the mechanism, causing it to become increasingly inaccurate before eventually being stopped late last year, the council’s infrastructure and assets manager, Stavros Michael, explained.
Michael said restoration work was funded through the building maintenance budget for the i-Site building, where the clock is housed, and that public feedback had been good, with the council regularly receiving enquiries when the clock stops or displays the wrong time.
"This reflects the importance to the community of the clock and the building as a well-known local landmark," Michael said.
'A little bit of nostalgia'
Reaction on social media has been positive, with residents calling it "outstanding" and saying it was "wonderful" to hear the clock’s hourly chimes once again.
New Zealand’s longest-serving councillor, Rotorua’s Trevor Maxwell, said he was "thrilled" the clock was back in action.
"It’s a little bit of nostalgia," he said.
"Growing up, I’d see Big Ben on television, and then, coming into town, I remember I would think, 'We’ve got a little Big Ben'.
"I love the changes happening in our urban area and our city, but if there are some things we can retain that remind us of our history, I love it."
He remembered the building’s many uses over the years, specifically as the old telephone exchange.
"It brings back a lot of fond memories."
A complex task ahead
While the hourly strikes have now resumed, further work is still required before residents hear the clock’s familiar quarter-hour Westminster chimes again.
The chimes were part of the original installation when the building opened as Rotorua’s post office in 1914. Over the years, the historic mechanism has required specialist restoration, including in 2014 after falling silent for three decades.
Michael said fully restoring the chimes remained a complex task.
"This includes restoring or manufacturing additional mechanical components, reconnecting the bell mechanisms to the clock, restoring the bell strike lever system, and cleaning and restoring the bells," he said.
The council has not confirmed a final cost or completion date for the work.
Michael said the timing would depend on the scope and cost of the restoration, available funding, and Shallard’s availability.
The work is also complicated by the need for safe access to the tower. Scaffolding is expected to be erected alongside planned roof replacement work scheduled for early to mid-2027.
The council is now working with Shallard’s business, Time Centre, on ongoing preventive maintenance, although Michael said the clock’s age and specialist components meant occasional faults could still occur.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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