New Zealand Organ Manufactory

The New Zealand Organ Manufactory was established in 1998 to provide owners of pipe and reed organs with quality care and maintenance at an affordable cost. As of September 2009, the Manufactory and Museum have moved to a new home in the historic Meek's Mill in the centre of Oamaru and, as of December 2009, the Manufactory has a new workshop and store in Te Aroha.

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Our Director, Dr Ron Newton, trained with the South Island Organ Company in Timaru, and has also studied and worked with other New Zealand and Australian organ builders. He has since built up a sound reputation as a tuner, repairer and restorer of pipe and reed organs.

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With the acquisition of a North Island tuning round in 2004, the New Zealand Organ Manufactory is able to offer a comprehensive service throughout the country.

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We are very pleased to announce that the New Zealand Organ Manufactory is from 2009 working in association with the old-established firm of Henry Willis & Sons Ltd, of Liverpool. Our first large job together will be the installation of the new four-manual Willis organ in St. Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland. We will then be assisting them in the establishment of a branch of their business in Auckland.

The Manufactory is also pleased to announce that from 2009 we are working in association with George Deans, pipe organ builder of Ashhurst. George trained with George Croft & Son and has been active in Auckland and Manawatu on his own account for more than 25 years.

We are again pleased to announce that from 2010 Dean Gray is now assisting us with tuning and repairs in the Auckland region. Dean is a qualified and experienced organ builder, having trained and worked with the South Island Organ Company for seven years. He is currently operating his own computer business.

We are also pleased to announce that in recognition of the capable assistance of Joe Moncur in the success and growth of the Manufactory, we have from 2008 named Joe as our Technical and Personnel Officer. He has recently moved back home to New Zealand from Scotland with his family, and we look forward to his continued contribution.

The Manufactory is also from 2007 able to offer urgent tuning and repairs in the Auckland region with the assistance of Ralph Cullen of Keyboard Music Systems Ltd in Torbay. Further, from 2009, we are pleased to name Mark Patterson as our South Island Electronic Technician. Mark has assisted us in our recent Musicom digital control system installations, and we look forward to his continued contribution as well.

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Readers are invited to view A Few Testimonials regarding Dr Newton's work with the Manufactory, and peruse some Excerpts from the Press.

A list of contracts completed by the New Zealand Organ Manufactory may be viewed under Opera Omnia. We are now adding photographs to this chapter. A list of current tunings is also found under New Zealand Organ Manufactory Tunings.

The Manufactory has instruments and various items for sale from time to time. Check out our Sales Table for the latest gift ideas.

Catch up on The Daily Grind, occasional news and views from the Organ Grindery:

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As a well-known organist and historian Dr Newton has played, taught and performed, and researched and written on many aspects of organ history. Learn more here about various recordings, articles and publications.

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The New Zealand Organ Museum Trust was established in 2003 to preserve the history and artefacts of organs and organ building in New Zealand.

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Oamaru's Historic Quarter has many places of interest for visitors. Visitors are always welcome in the Manufactory and Museum, but a prior arrangement will avoid possible disappointment.

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Thank you for visiting our web site. I hope you enjoy looking around. Since installing a visitor counter on 25 January, 2005 you are visitor number: