Waimauku Dairy Factory (former)

Waimauku Dairy Factory is a historic former dairy-processing property in Waimauku, in the Auckland region of New Zealand. Although the site no longer operates as a dairy factory, its industrial history is preserved through the surviving property, which is now operated under the Settlers Country Manor name as an events and destination venue. Its current uses include weddings, private functions, opera performances, filming and other hosted experiences. The site’s dairy history is linked to the Waitemata Co-operative Dairy Company, which was associated with dairy production in the district during the late nineteenth century. The factory was formally established in 1909 as part of the development of organized dairy processing for local suppliers. The first principal factory building opened in October 1915. As production and local supply requirements expanded, a substantially larger building opened on 27 November 1924. Contemporary heritage information records that the enlarged factory was intended to serve approximately 350 dairy suppliers in the surrounding area. The property later moved away from its original industrial role. A major renovation in 1972 adapted the site for event and destination use, helping transform a former processing facility into a hospitality and cultural venue. Under the Settlers Country Manor identity, the property has been marketed as a garden and heritage setting for weddings and celebrations. It has also hosted opera and has been used as a filming location, demonstrating the adaptability of the former factory complex and its grounds. The venue has attracted public attention through events held there, including the 2025 wedding of Shortland Street actress Charisse Uy. In the same year, Settlers Country Manor received the Garden Award in the Wedding Venue category at the New Zealand Wedding Industry Awards. The site also appeared in the 2025 film A Minecraft Movie, extending its profile beyond weddings and local heritage tourism. The property is recognized by Auckland Council as a place of historic heritage value under Schedule 14.1 of the Auckland Unitary Plan. Its significance combines local industrial history, the development of cooperative dairy production and the retention of a distinctive historic site that has been given a new life through hospitality, cultural events and screen production. Because the former factory and the current venue represent different phases of the property’s history, the name “Waimauku Dairy Factory (former)” is best understood as a historical site identity rather than a current dairy product brand.

Waimauku Dairy Factory is a historic former dairy-processing property in Waimauku, New Zealand. The site formed part of the dairy economy associated with the Waitemata Co-operative Dairy Company in the late nineteenth century, when cooperative factories helped local farmers process and distribute milk and dairy products. The factory was formally established in 1909. Its original factory building opened in October 1915, marking the development of a purpose-built processing facility for the district. Continued growth in dairy supply and processing requirements led to the construction of a larger building, which opened on 27 November 1924. Heritage information indicates that the enlarged facility was built to serve approximately 350 local dairy suppliers, making it an important piece of Waimauku’s agricultural and industrial infrastructure. The site eventually ceased to function as a dairy factory. In 1972, the property was renovated for event and destination use, beginning its transition from industrial production to hospitality and cultural activity. It subsequently operated under the Settlers Country Manor name. The venue’s uses have included weddings, private functions, opera performances and film production. This adaptive reuse retained the property as a recognizable local landmark while replacing its original dairy-processing function with a visitor-facing business. The property has continued to gain visibility through its event and entertainment roles. Settlers Country Manor hosted the 2025 wedding of Shortland Street actress Charisse Uy and was used as a location for the 2025 film A Minecraft Movie. In 2025, it also won the Garden Award in the Wedding Venue category at the New Zealand Wedding Industry Awards. The former factory is protected as a place of historic heritage value under Schedule 14.1, the Schedule of Historic Heritage, in Auckland Council’s Unitary Plan. Its heritage importance derives from the combination of its agricultural and cooperative-dairy associations, its surviving historic fabric and its role in illustrating the economic development of the Waimauku area. The current Settlers Country Manor operation represents a later phase of the property’s life rather than a continuation of dairy manufacturing.

• 2025

  Venue receives wedding-industry award

  [1]Waimauku Dairy Factoryen.wikipedia.org

  Operating as Settlers Country Manor, the property won the Garden Award in the Wedding Venue category at the New Zealand Wedding Industry Awards.

• 1972

  Property renovated for destination use

  [1]Waimauku Dairy Factoryen.wikipedia.org

  The former industrial property was renovated for events and destination-oriented use.

• 1924

  Larger factory building opens

  [1]Waimauku Dairy Factoryen.wikipedia.org

  An enlarged dairy factory opened on 27 November 1924 to support approximately 350 local dairy suppliers.

• 1915

  Original factory building opens

  [1]Waimauku Dairy Factoryen.wikipedia.org

  The first principal factory building opened in October 1915.

• 1909

  Dairy factory formally established

  [1]Waimauku Dairy Factoryen.wikipedia.org

  The Waimauku dairy factory was formally established in association with the district’s cooperative dairy economy.

A heritage-oriented New Zealand event and destination venue occupying a former dairy factory site, positioned around historic character, gardens, weddings, cultural events and screen-location use.

• 1972

  Adaptive reuse as an event and destination venueStrategy

  Background

  The former dairy factory no longer served its original industrial purpose and was renovated for a new visitor- and event-oriented role.

  Action taken

  The property was renovated and subsequently operated under the Settlers Country Manor name, with weddings, functions, cultural performances and filming among its uses.

  Aftermath

  The site became a heritage-oriented hospitality and events venue while retaining associations with Waimauku’s dairy history.

  Source

1. 1Waimauku Dairy Factoryen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Settlers Country Manorsettlerscountrymanor.co.nz