The site was established by Auckland's Hellaby family in 1908.

Generations of families worked at Westfield, but economic reforms in the mid-1980s made the works uncompetitive, and the site finally closed in 1989.

[1] During World War I a number of freezing works opened across the country to meet the demand for New Zealand produce.

[2] For years, a Hudswell Clarke locomotive worked the many sidings.

This was joined, in 1970, by a dieselised steam loco, rebuilt by A & G Price.