The Foxton Courthouse is a historic building in the township of Foxton, New Zealand.
The brick building was constructed in 1929. The previous wooden building, constructed in 1867, was described as a "the eyesore of the main street", prompting calls for its replacement. [1] [2] The building work was undertaken by Mr T. W. Hunt of Foxton. [3]
Historian Tony Hunt recorded in his history of Foxton that until 1948 the court heard civil and criminal cases, and after this date civil cases were heard elsewhere. [4] The courthouse closed in 1971. [4]
The courthouse was the location of the coroner's inquest into the Foxton Tragedy (also known as the Himatangi Tragedy) which occurred in 1929 shortly after the new building opened. [5] [6]
The courthouse became the home of the Foxton Historical Society's museum collection. [7] In 2013 the building was closed by the Horowhenua District Council as it was deemed an earthquake risk. [8] The Foxton Historical Society has signaled its intention to fundraise to undertake the required earthquake strengthening and reopen the building as a museum. [9] In February 2020 it was reported that the society was continuing to work on a business case for the development. [10]
40°28′15″S 175°16′54″E / 40.47091°S 175.28176°E