About the Trust

In the early 1980s, a group of local individuals worked with the former Oamaru Borough Council (now the Waitaki District Council) to secure funding for a feasibility study into the future redevelopment of Harbour and Tyne Streets. By the 1980s, this area had experienced significant decline as changing economic conditions and development pressures took their toll.

Historically, this area—now known as Oamaru’s Heritage Precinct—was the original commercial heart of the Oamaru harbour district. It was characterised by large grain and seed warehouses that supported the region’s prosperous agricultural economy throughout the late 19th century.

The resulting Arthur Young Feasibility Study provided recommendations that led to the establishment of the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust as a charitable trust, tasked with preserving this important part of New Zealand’s heritage.

With support from the Alexander McMillan Trust, and through an initial investment of $80,000, eight buildings were purchased from what is now the PGG Wrightson. Since that time, the Trust’s portfolio has grown to 18 buildings within Oamaru. Together, these buildings form a nationally significant collection and one of the largest groupings of heritage buildings in the country.

The Trust’s buildings were constructed between the 1870s and 1880s and today form New Zealand’s most complete streetscape of Victorian commercial architecture. Built from locally quarried limestone, the easily carved Oamaru stone was ideally suited to the ornate Neo-Classical style that was highly favoured during the Victorian era.

This nationally significant collection of heritage buildings is now cared for by the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust, a charitable organisation governed by a volunteer board. The majority of the Trust’s buildings are located within the Heritage Precinct on Harbour and Tyne Streets, alongside the Masonic Lodge complex on Wansbeck Street. The Trust is fortunate to have skilled local craftspeople who continue to restore and maintain the buildings, ensuring their historic character is preserved while enabling sensitive adaptive reuse of interior spaces.

Ongoing conservation and restoration work is funded through a combination of rental income, fundraising, donations, and grants from a range of organisations and supporters. By leasing spaces to local businesses, artisans, and craftspeople, the Trust ensures the buildings remain active and vibrant, contributing to the living story of Oamaru.

The Trust continues to make steady progress in conserving and enhancing this important heritage precinct, ensuring it is protected and sustained for future generations.