page_title: Wainuiomata Tunnel
section_title: World War II
hierarchical_section_title: Wainuiomata Tunnel / History / World War II
caption_attribution_description: English: Access cutting for the Wainuiomata portal of the Wainuiomata Tunnel. The concrete structure in the distance (centre) provides pedestrian access via a stairwell into the Wainuiomata end of the tunnel.
context_page_description: The Wainuiomata Tunnel was planned to improve access to the Wainuiomata Valley in the Wellington region of New Zealand’s North Island as part of a scheme to commence residential development there in the 1930s. Construction started in 1932 but was halted several years later when only partly completed due to a lack of funds brought about by economic depression.
  The tunnel was never opened to road traffic, and other than a brief stint of military service during World War II, remained unused until sold in 1975. Thereafter it was completed as a utility tunnel, initially carrying only a water pipe, but later other services were added.
context_section_description: The Quartermaster-General approached the Wainuiomata Development Company in 1942 on behalf of the New Zealand Army to lease the tunnel.  Their intention was to use the tunnel primarily for the storage of explosives but potentially also as an air raid shelter.  They sought a term covering the duration of the war plus six months, to which the Company was agreeable, on the proviso that the Company be able to terminate the agreement with six months notice if they decided to resume work on the tunnel and it was not required for “essential war purposes”.  The lease covered the land and buildings at the tunnel, at a rate of £156 per annum, commencing on 2 April 1942.
  Having obtained the Company’s permission, the Army authorised modifications to be made at the tunnel for the preparation of the magazine on 8 April 1942.  Work included installation of electric lighting, an upgrade of the drainage, erection of a security fence enclosing the entire tunnel section with a gate allowing truck access, levelling inside the tunnel to make it suitable for stacking the explosives, and the building of a loading dock to facilitate the transfer of goods to and from the trucks.  The Public Works Department handed over the completed magazine to the Army on 8 June 1942.
  Early termination of the lease was requested when the Quartermaster-General advised the Company that the Army intended to vacate the site effective 15 September 1944.  This date was missed, and it was not until 26 February 1945 that possession was relinquished, once all stores had been removed and restoration works completed.
caption: Cutting and approach to what was to have been the Wainuiomata portal.  The concrete structure at the far end is the top of the stairwell that facilitates pedestrian access into the Wainuiomata end of the tunnel.
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