Restoration Project
The Former Kurow School, built in 1881, sits on reserve land in the residential area of Kurow, Waitaki Valley, North Otago. Due to unclear ownership over recent decades, the building has not received regular maintenance for more than twenty years. Weatherboards are deteriorating, many windowpanes are broken, and pigeons have taken residence in the roof space. Inside, much of the original character remains intact and in stable condition, yet significant remediation is required to make the building safe, usable, and welcoming for the community.
The school is recognised for its heritage value. It was registered as a Category 2 Historic Place (Register No. 4891) by Heritage New Zealand in 1986. Read more here. It is also listed as HH 120 in the Waitaki District Plan.
The restoration project will allow the Former Kurow School to once again become a place for learning, creativity, gathering and local pride.
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Cultural Heritage Significance
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Construction History
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Restoration Plan
The school was designed as a modular building by John Sommerville of Peebles for the Otago Education Board. Its footing piles were formed from local river gravel and set in timber forms. Much of the original structure remains, including flooring, wall linings, ceiling timbers, window frames, and architraves. Over time, changes have been made in response to community needs. Key alterations include: Original fireplaces covered and flues added. Extensions added to both wings following the 1902 health incident. Two exterior doors added after 1904. Toilet block and septic system installed (later connected to mains in 1993). Fireplaces removed or closed over. A kitchen and mezzanine installed during Scout use in 1995. Chipboard laid over original timber flooring in the two wings and hall.
The aim of the restoration is to return the building to a safe, community-ready state while respecting its historical integrity. The reference period for restoration is 1881–1940, when the school was actively in use. The approach will be to: Retain and repair original material wherever possible. Replace elements only where necessary, using natural and age-appropriate materials. Use “like for like” construction methods and finishes. Upgrade for community use with minimal visual impact. (Including improvements to safety, accessibility, lighting, energy efficiency, and security.) The restoration will allow the Former Kurow School to once again become a place for learning, creativity, gathering, and local pride.
The Former Kurow School is the only surviving historic Otago school designed by John Sommerville that remains largely unchanged and accessible to the public. Other Sommerville school buildings have either been converted into private residences, significantly altered, or lost entirely. Kurow’s former school holds a rare distinction. It remains on its original footprint, with its historic form and character still readable. This allows the building to continue telling the story of early education, settlement, and community life in the Waitaki Valley. The building’s evolution reflects the history of the region. Within five years of opening, growing numbers of young families led to the first extension. In 1902, overcrowding and poor ventilation contributed to a national health incident involving tuberculosis at the school. The government responded quickly, funding major extensions and installing a new ventilation system in each wing.