NIMT Last Spike

The driving of the 'last spike' marked the moment that the two railheads were formally joined and a Wellington-Auckland link created.

The ‘last spike’ was driven just north of the Manganui-o-te-Ao viaduct between Ohakune and National Park.

Prime Minister at the time, Sir Joseph Ward wielded the hammer. He was presented with a commemorative silver spike which is now held in a collection by Te Papa.

ONTRACK will celebrate this historic moment with a ceremony on Saturday, 8 November 2008 at Manganui-o-te-ao, approximately 11.5 kms south of National Park.

There are a number of other parties who will be joining us in this celebration including rail heritage groups, the Ruapehu District Council, Toll NZ, the Rail and Maritime Transport Union, local schools and the Historic Places Trust.