A strip of Hauraki Plains history will be cranking up at Kerepēhi Flaxmill on April 23.
The Crank Up event, hosted by the Hauraki Vintage Machinery Club, will feature locally grown flax being stripped in the historic Kaihere Rd mill, as well as flax weaving, vintage tractors, and petrol and diesel engines that were used to power farm machinery.
Club member and mastermind behind the mill Brendon Adams told The Profile the event had been held for around five years and attendees always appreciated the club, which has between 30 and 40 members, preserving local history.
“The flaxmill was a big part of the Hauraki Plains’ early history, and it was one of the main money earners for the area before dairying took off,” he said.
“It’s going to be driven with a 1910 steam engine and that’s quite unique because all the early mills were run by steam so it’s quite an early set up.
“We started off using a tractor to drive the plant and the last three times we’ve used the steam engine so it’s definitely the only steam driven flax mill in New Zealand.”
Brendon said a gold coin donation was required to enter the event which would go towards the preservation of the mill.
DETAILS: Kerepēhi Flaxmill Crank Up, April 23, 11am to 3pm, 668 Kaihere Rd. Gold coin donation for entry. Food and drink on offer. More info: Ph 027 476 5586.
