Builders unearth historic jetty

By REBECCA WALSH

A piece of Auckland history has been uncovered by contractors working on a multimillion-dollar transport hub for the city of the future.

Part of the Gore St jetty, built in 1865, was discovered at the Britomart site on Tuesday.

The wooden piles and beams of the 138-year-old jetty, dwarfed by the concrete pillars of the construction site, once ran 500m from Gore St down past Quay St.

The land was later reclaimed and the jetty was found buried under four to five metres of earth.

Archaeologist Barry Baquie, who has been working at the site for the past three months, said the find was significant in terms of Auckland's maritime history.

"It was the access place for ships coming into the country, for freight, trade and passengers," he said.

"This is tied in with the old buildings of that era. It has some sort of sentimental value."

Bits of rope, bottles, pipes and stout jars have also been found.

Mr Baquie expects a lot more of the jetty will be uncovered but said it would not be easy to preserve because it was so large.

One option was to remove some of the crossbeams and posts, which appeared to be Australian jarrah or bluegum, for a reconstruction.

Greg McKeown, Auckland City councillor and chairman of the transport committee, said it was possible part of the jetty could be preserved and displayed in the Maritime Museum.