Improvements to the Post Office Buildings (completed 1916)

In the early 20th century the Government consolidated its various departmental offices in Tauranga, which had previously been scattered across different premises, into a new complex at the corner of Willow Street West and McLean Street (the Post Office buildings). The extension to the earlier public building, designed under the supervision of resident engineer J Hannah, was compared favourably with Government structures in the main centres.

The addition covered over 150 square metres, bringing the total floor area to approximately 930 square metres. Key improvements included the relocation of the Post and Telegraph Department to larger ground floor premises, a new telephone exchange, an enlarged mail room of 223 square metres, and modernised facilities such as a retiring room for female staff. Upper level spaces were reconfigured into court witness rooms and offices for the Lands and Survey Department, the resident road engineer, and Public Works staff.

The new wing provided six spacious offices, a large strong room, and two public entrances — one from Willow Street and another from Harington Street. The Public Works Department occupied the entire upper storey, including a large draughting room (8.5 × 5.5 m), clerical room (10 × 4.3 m), engineer’s office (6.1 × 3.4 m), and further accommodation for assistant engineers and overseers.

Architecturally, the extension continued the earlier design in brick on concrete foundations, with the lower storey finished in coloured cement ornamented with string courses, mouldings, keystones, and pediments, and the upper storey in coloured roughcast plaster. Interiors were finished in highly figured rimu supplied from the Omanawa sawmills of Gammans, Tauranga Ltd. Electric lighting was installed throughout.

The building work was executed by Messrs G. R. Lamb & Co of Auckland, with oversight by R. O. Lamason, Public Works building inspector. Access improvements included new coach entrances from Harington and McLean Streets to the rear mail entrance, and a wide 2.4 m stairway leading directly to Willow Street.

By the time of completion, the Public Works Department had already moved into its quarters, with other Government departments following shortly after. The Departmental Buildings became a landmark of civic progress, symbolising both the centralisation of Government services in Tauranga and the Crown’s commitment to the district’s growth.