Historic Hayes Engineering Works & Homestead

Historic Hayes Engineering Works & Homestead

Historic Hayes: Where Ingenuity Meets Grit in the Heart of Central Otago

Tucked away in the quiet settlement of Ōtūrehua lies a place that shaped New Zealand’s farming story — Historic Hayes. It’s more than a collection of old tools and buildings. It’s a living tribute to Kiwi ingenuity, determination, and the power of partnership.

The Genius of Simplicity
Ernest Hayes was no ordinary farmer. A millwright and engineer by trade, he believed that every complex problem could be solved with practical, simple logic. On his 60-hectare block, he invented tools that made hard work easier — starting with the “Lightning Pollard Poison Cutter,” a device that turned rabbit baiting from a back-breaking job into a quick task.

From his modest mud-brick workshop in the 1880s, Ernest began creating a legacy of smart, durable farming tools. But his greatest success came in 1924 — the Hayes Wire Strainer, a masterpiece of design that’s still used on farms across New Zealand and around the world today.

A True Partnership
Behind every great inventor stands someone remarkable — and for Ernest, that was Hannah Hayes. While raising their large family, Hannah became New Zealand’s first female travelling salesperson. She cycled across rough Central Otago terrain and into the Mackenzie Country, taking orders for Ernest’s tools — all while wearing ankle-length skirts. Her drive and tenacity helped spread the Hayes name far beyond Ōtūrehua.

Life Ahead of Its Time
The Hayes family lived innovation, not just built it. Their 1920s homestead boasted Maniototo’s first flush toilet, a home-built shower, and even a wired sound system connecting every room — features decades ahead of their time in rural New Zealand.

A Living Legacy
Today, the Historic Hayes Engineering Works and Homestead is a Category 1 Historic Place, proudly cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Visitors can wander through the original mud-brick workshop — a maze of belts, pulleys, and shafts — and step into the beautifully restored family homestead.

On summer Operating Days, the past roars back to life as volunteers fire up the lathes and machinery, letting you see, hear, and feel the spirit of Kiwi invention in motion.

And when you’re done exploring, Hannah’s Café and Gift Store awaits — famous for its delicious baking, great coffee, and warm country charm.

Plan Your Visit
Whether you arrive by car or bike along the Otago Central Rail Trail, Historic Hayes is the perfect stop to connect with our pioneering past.
Open September to May, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, it’s a place where the story of Kiwi innovation lives on — powered by wind, water, and pure determination.

Open

• Spring Open 9.30am - 3.30pm (last tour entry at 3pm)
• Summer Open
• Autumn Open
• Winter Closed

Contact

Hosts
Historic Hayes - leah Baldwin