Sign of the Takahe

The Sign of the Takahe is today a cafe/bar with casual dining with a unique wedding and function space, built in the style of an English Manor House. Designed by J. G. Collins, construction was carried out between 1918 and 1948. The Takahe also provides one of the better panoramic views of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps.

The Sign of the Takahe
Earthquake damaged Sign of the Takahe in 2013 viewed from south
Plaque at the Sign of the Takahe

Named after the flightless native New Zealand bird, the Takahe, it was initially one of the roadhouses planned by Henry George (Harry) Ell as part of his scheme to preserve the natural state of the Port Hills which overlook Christchurch and Lyttelton harbour.

Ell had envisaged four roadhouses being built, and three were completed before Ell's death in 1934. These were Sign of the Kiwi, Sign of the Bellbird and Sign of the Packhorse.

However, Ell wished the Takahe to be a more substantial structure and spent years studying design of English Manors, castles and inns, to be incorporated into the final construction of the Takahe. Indeed, the dining room is an exact replica of the historic Haddon Hall in Derbyshire.

A great deal of improvisation was required to minimise cost. For example, the stone was quarried locally from the Port Hills and hand chiseled into blocks using primitive tools, the heavy Kauri beams in the entrance hall were salvaged from a former bridge over the Hurunui River and the ceilings in the inner most dining room were painted on timber cut from packing cases.

The building has a Category I listing with Heritage New Zealand.[1] It is located adjacent to Cracroft Reserve.

References
  1. "Sign of the Takahe". Register of Historic Places. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
  • Harry Ell and His Summit Road : a Biography of Henry George Ell by Lenore Oakley, published by Caxton Press 1960
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