New book documents historic woolsheds in Aotearoa New Zealand

This is what inspired Honorary Research Associate Dr Annette O’Sullivan to document woolsheds and their history before it was too late. Her book, Woolsheds: The historic shearing sheds of Aotearoa New Zealand, co-authored with esteemed photographer and Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University alumna Jane Ussher MNZM, takes readers to historic sheep stations in the North and South Islands and explores the rich histories of this key primary industry that are contained in their heritage woolsheds.

From the oldest working woolshed in South Canterbury to woolsheds rebuilt after earthquakes and sheds built by eminent public figures, the book is a celebration of effort, industry and tenacity. Visiting a woolshed is a sensory experience and the photos featured in the book document the rawness, the materiality and the early tools of the trade — capturing the essence of each woolshed and bringing it to life.

Dr O’Sullivan, design academic and former senior lecturer in typography, says there were many possible woolsheds, but she eventually selected 15 to represent the diversity and the history.

“The woolshed had to be in original or near original condition and preferably with a long history of family ownership. I looked for unique features such as building materials, differences in woolshed design, rare equipment and other historic farm buildings.”

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, wool, mutton and lamb were the backbone of the New Zealand economy and as the industry really took off, many large woolsheds were built throughout the country, some designed by notable architects and draughtsmen.

Woolsheds is now available for purchase from Massey University Press.