View source for Last Spike Memorial

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox monument
| name          = Last Spike Memorial
| native_name   = 
| image         = North Island Main Trunk Line 'Last Spike' Memorial.jpg
| image_size    = 
| caption       = The memorial in 2022
| location      = near [[Pokaka, New Zealand|Pokaka]], [[Ruapehu District]], [[Manawatū-Whanganui]] region
| mapframe      = yes
| designer      = 
| type          = [[obelisk]]
| material      = concrete
| length        = 
| width         = 
| height        = {{convert|6|ft}}
| begin         = 
| complete      = February 1909<ref name="Wanganui Herald" />
| dedicated     = <!-- date of dedication -->
| open          = 
| restore       = 
| dedicated_to  = [[Rail fastening system#Symbolism and Significance|Last spike]] ceremony performed by [[Joseph Ward|Sir Joseph Ward]]
| map_name      = 
| map_text      = 
| map_width     = 
| map_relief    = yes
| coordinates   = {{Location|-39.27639|175.38920}}
| website       = 
}}

The '''Last Spike Memorial''' is a monument in the [[Ruapehu District]] of New Zealand. It marks the location where the "last spike" was driven in 1908 for the completion of the [[North Island Main Trunk]] line.

==Location==
The monument is located about {{convert|1.5|km}} north of the locality named [[Pokaka, New Zealand|Pokaka]], immediately north of the Manganuioteao Viaduct, and a short distance south of the [[Makatote Viaduct]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Node: Obelisk marking final spike in railway 1908 (1225171657) |url= https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/1225171657 |publisher=[[OpenStreetMap]] |access-date=2 March 2022}}</ref>

==Description==
A concrete obelisk was erected in early 1909.<ref name="Wanganui Herald">{{Cite news |date=25 February 1909 |title=The aeroplane |issue=12704 | volume=XXXXIV |page=4 |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH19090225.2.23 |access-date=3 March 2022 |work=[[The Wanganui Herald]]}}</ref> The monument marks the location where the Prime Minister, [[Joseph Ward|Sir Joseph Ward]], conducted a [[Rail fastening system#Symbolism and Significance|last spike]] ceremony on 6 November 1908.<ref name="NZHPT 7575">{{NZHPT|7575|North Island Main Trunk Line 'Last Spike' Memorial|3 March 2022}}</ref> A silver-plated spike was used, though the actual last spike was driven in about {{Convert|300|m||abbr=on}} to the south, to complete work on the Manganuioteao Viaduct (then called Manganui-o-te-Ao),<ref name="NZHPT 7575" /> where temporary tracks met on 3 August 1908. The monument is four-sided, {{Convert|6|ft||abbr=on}} high and {{Convert|4|ft||abbr=on}} across the base, with black lettering on a white marble slab. It was about {{Convert|20|ft||abbr=on}} to the west of the line,<ref name="Wanganui Herald" /> but moved a further {{Convert|10|ft||abbr=on}} west in 1973. It is marked by road signs on [[State Highway 4 (New Zealand)|State Highway 4]] and a small carpark.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Volcanic Loop Hwy|url= https://www.google.com/maps/@-39.2760044,175.3889987,3a,15y,144.91h,92.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sG-GEVv-oNmGODe-qXbmMwQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 |archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=3 March 2022 |website=Google Maps}}</ref>

==Recognition==
{{Infobox designation list |designation1=NZ Category II |designation1_number=7575 |designation1_date=10 December 2004}}
As part of its "Engineering to 1990" project, the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ; now [[Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau]]) added the central section of the North Island Main Trunk line to its engineering heritage register.<ref>{{cite web |title=North Island Main Trunk Railway |url= https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/heritage-records/north-island-main-trunk-railway/ |publisher=[[Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau]] |access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref> In 1997, IPENZ put two new brass inscription plates on the monument.<ref name="NZHPT 7575" /> On 10 December 2004, the monument was registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (now [[Heritage New Zealand]]) as a Category II structure, with the registration number 7575.<ref name="NZHPT 7575" />

==See also==
* [[Golden spike]] (United States)
* [[Last spike (Canadian Pacific Railway)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Monuments and memorials in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Obelisks]]
[[Category:Heritage New Zealand Category 2 historic places in Manawatū-Whanganui]]
[[Category:Ruapehu District]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Manawatū-Whanganui]]
[[Category:History of transport in New Zealand]]