MOTHER nature has dealt a death blow to a famous and historic Wairarapa landmark.
The Te Awaiti Station radar tower in coastal South Wairarapa, which played a pivotal role in the protection of the coastline from possible Japanese attack in World War II, fell victim to this week's north-westerly gales and
is now just a crumpled mass of well-weathered timber.
Situated on the summit of the 128m Te Awaiti Hill, the tower had slowly got a lean on over the years and was unable to handle the gales that have swept the coast in the past two days.
It had stood sentinel there since late August 1942, being part of a quite elaborate radar station that became operational in early 1943.
Unit number 8, as it was known, was one of 16 radar stations around the New Zealand coast set up to track approaching aircraft and ships.
The rotating aerial of the radar mast was built on top of the hill with the technical building 24m lower down on a ridge.
A powerhouse, accommodation and other ancillary buildings were located on the flat between sheep pens and shepherds cottages.
In all 12 buildings were erected, a septic tank put in, water storage installed and electricity connected.
Unit 8 started business in early 1943 but in January the next year the decision was made, because of the lessening of the Japanese threat, to put it on a "care and maintenance basis" with inspections from time to time being done by the Public Works Department.
Only a month later the department was instructed to start taking equipment away.
Te Awaiti farmer Chris Bargh said the old radar tower had been had been a landmark for visitors to the coast.
"Everyone coming to Te Awaiti spotted it."
He said since its collapse the hill looked bare and it would take time to get used to the new configuration.
