Oruawharo Homestead

It was designed by Wellington architect Charles Tringham in the Italianate style and built from native timbers for Sydney and Sophia Johnston by Sydney's father, the politician and merchant John Johnston.

[1] Family members were patrons of Mother Suzanne Aubert and the homestead was given to the Catholic Church in 1965.

In 1874 Edmund Allan and Samuel[4] Kingstreet[5] won a £14,100 contract for the 14 mi (23 km) extension of the Napier to Waipukurau railway south to Takapau.

[9] An application by Sydney Johnston for a private siding was mentioned on 19 March 1888.

[10] In 1981, when the Silver Fern Farms slaughterhouse opened,[11] a new passing loop at Oruawharo replaced that at Takapau.