This single storey concrete building was built in 1935 - 1936. It occupies an historic site as described on the plaque outside - the first public hospital in New Plymouth.
The architects were Messrs. Griffiths and Stephenson and it was built by Boon Bros. The estimated cost was £1,836, but in October 1935 it was announced that the cost had risen to £2,060. It replaced the old restrooms located opposite the fire station in Courtenay Street. It opened on 20 May 1936 with little fanfare and as a result, "only a few women visited the rooms".
When plans to upgrade of the Huatoki Plaza were suggested around 2005 there was some discussion about moving or demolishing the rest rooms. In the end a decision was made to retain the building in its original location and it was repainted.
The building was repainted again in 2025.
Further reading: Women's Rest Rooms, New Plymouth : conservation plan. Jordan, Kate, 2017. (TRCT363.7294 JOR)
Related items:
Storehouse Reserve, Section 13: Taranaki Land Deed Index I1 page 128. (Archives New Zealand)
Taranaki DP1481 Sheet 1 (1899), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki DP4798 Sheet 1 (1926), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki (Lot 3) DP9589 Sheet 1 (1966), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Banks gets the loo down on NZ's finest (Daily News 8 June1995)
Local loo lady flushed with pride (Daily News 27 June 1995)
Women come out fighting for historical rest rooms (Taranaki Daily News 19 July 2005)
Saved from wrecker (Taranaki Daily News 18 August 2005)
A Popular Wee Building (Kate Jordan)
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