For now 142 years on Auckland’s North Shore in the suburb of Birkenhead, we have had the Chelsea Sugar Refinery. They refine and produce the bulk load of sugar we see here in NZ.
Located next to the main harbour, it was an ideal positioning, allowing for large cargo ship anchorage and loading/unloading.
As with many large factory industries of the era, housing was built around the refinery for its workers and families. Unfortunately over the years they suffered from dampness/poor quality and a number were demolished. Now days there are a few brick cottages on its 39 hectares of land and a large number of public walking/bush tracks. Surrounding all of this is suburbia.
The refinery, like other historic industries offers paid tours for people as well as a on site cafe – unsurprisingly, with plenty of sweet goodies.
My photos in today’s post are a bit of a hybrid mix. Half taken on the Ricoh KR-5 (which recently departed me to a new home) as well as mobile phone. Not so much of a conscious choice – more the fact I finished the roll of Lucky 100 in the camera but still had shots I wanted to gather.
One day I’ll take the tour. I have a book ‘The Chelsea Project’ which had invited I think 5 photographers inside taking photos of the workers and machines in action. Im sure the tour is not as action packed, but it would be cool to see if there were any modern day replication options!
Later Michael Edit: Ah – on tours they lock away your phones and cameras! – a bit like visiting Wonkers factory I suspect!
MikeHawkey.com 
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