Kiwi Ingenuity in the Heart of Central Otago
Sitting on the edge of the open plains of the Ida Valley, towards the northern end, Hayes Engineering Works is a remarkable heritage site just 2 km from Oturehua. This once-busy 19th-century workshop is where some of New Zealand’s most influential farm inventions were designed, including the iconic wire strainer still used on fences nationwide to this day. Visiting Hayes is like stepping inside the mind of a Victorian-era inventor, while enjoying a great 21st-century flat white!
Workbenches, windmills, and wire strainers
What makes Hayes Engineering so special is its authenticity. The original workshop, powered by belts, pulleys, and a hand-built windmill, remains largely unchanged from its state over a century ago. You can see the machines and precise tools used by Ernest Hayes, the self-taught engineer and entrepreneur who founded the business in 1895. The site includes a forge, carpentry room, and demonstration displays that give real insight into early rural innovation.
Stories of invention and determination
Ernest Hayes wasn’t just a tinkerer. He was a pioneer of rural productivity. But it was his wife, Hannah Hayes, who pedalled across Otago on a bicycle to market his products to remote farms. Their story reflects the grit and creativity of settler life in the late 1800s. The Hayes Works stayed in operation for over 75 years and remains one of the best-preserved engineering heritage sites in New Zealand.
Facilities and visitor experience
Run by Heritage New Zealand, the site has a modest entry fee and is open seasonally. There’s a café in one of the original buildings on the site and a picnic area under the trees. Audio guides and staff demonstrations are available, and the location is connected to the nearby Otago Central Rail Trail.
Getting there
Hayes Engineering is near Oturehua and approximately 25 minutes from Ranfurly or 15 minutes from Ōmakau via State Highway 85. Signage from the main road is clear, and there’s ample parking on-site. If you are cycling, it is a short detour along Hayes Road from the Otago Central Rail Trail.
Other nearby places to visit include Golden Progress Mine, Moa Creek and Pololburn, Idaburn Dam, Falls Dam and St Bathans.
