Time Tunnel Transformation at Fort Taiaroa

Its a military makeover! Ready. Aim. Fire. All we need is your ammunition...

Fort Taiaroa needs a new life. Over 30 years ago secret tunnels under the royal albatross were newly opened to allow access to the curious crowds. People could discover the headland's historical significance as Dunedin's first line of defence against foreign invaders, discover the world's only 1886 Armstrong Disappearing Gun still in its original gun pit and learn about the area's 600 years of habitation from Maori pa to WW2 Fort.

Now the dated damp digs need to march into the future. We plan to replace the roof, fortify the foundations against pestilential invaders and create a story telling time tunnel to delight our visitors.

Your help will support Otago Peninsula Trust, NZ's first private charitable conservation trust, to breathe fresh life into the tired and entrenched Fort Taiaroa to allow it to spring once again to attention and protect the heritage of Dunedin. This project will also help us attract new visitors to appreciate our history and contribute to the upkeep of the Fort so it may last another 140 years.

The home of the only working “Armstrong Disappearing Gun” in the world needs you. The Otago Peninsula Trust Fort Taiaroa Committee and Antique Arms Group were awarded the rare international heritage award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in the United Kingdom, for the restoration of the gun.

We are again challenged to ensure that future generations can appreciate from this historic restoration, the lessons we have learnt from the past. As the celebrated American Illustrator would have said “I Need You” to “Givealittle” to the Fort Taiaroa Observation Post restoration.

The plan is to effectively create a bubble of the historic structure to protect it from the environment at the conclusion of the stabilisation of the structure. As Jacinda Adern Prime Minister of New Zealand says, “with your help, we can do this!”