Paetawa Flax Mill
267 Old State Highway 1 North of Waikanae
Archibald Brown (1859–1941) milled flax (harakeke/phormium tenax) in these buildings from 1905 to1930. Falling prices and yellow-leaf disease caused the mill’s closure.
The big shed in the background housed the ‘feeder’ (used to rake the green skin off the flax), the ‘scutcher’ (used to polish the washed, dried and bleached flax), and an engine to power the equipment.
The stable to right of the gate housed draught horses that pulled drays of green flax from the swamp or delivered bales of fibre to Waikanae railway station.
Browns’ Flax Mill, Waikanae, 1910. Hp 1372, Brown Collection, Kāpiti Coast District Libraries.
Workers from Browns' Flax Mill, Waikanae, circa 1910. HP1371, Brown Collection, Kāpiti Coast District Libraries.
![Workers from Browns' Flax Mill, Waikanae, circa 1910. HP1371, Brown Collection, Kāpiti Coast District Libraries.]()
A new suction gas engine working on coal at the Browns' Flax Mill in Waikanae, 1916. Hp 1373, Brown Collection, Kāpiti Coast District Libraries.
![A new suction gas engine working on coal at the Browns' Flax Mill in Waikanae, 1916. Hp 1373, Brown Collection, Kāpiti Coast District Libraries.]()
Sketch plan of remains of Brown's Flaxmill, Paetawa, Waikanae, 9 April 1981 – Ian's plan drawing
![Sketch plan of remains of Brown's Flaxmill, Paetawa, Waikanae, 9 April 1981 – Ian's plan drawing]()
Brown's Flax Mill at Paetawa, May 2011
![Brown's Flax Mill at Paetawa, May 2011]()
Workers from Browns' Flax Mill, Waikanae, circa 1910. HP1371, Brown Collection, Kāpiti Coast District Libraries.
A new suction gas engine working on coal at the Browns' Flax Mill in Waikanae, 1916. Hp 1373, Brown Collection, Kāpiti Coast District Libraries.
Sketch plan of remains of Brown's Flaxmill, Paetawa, Waikanae, 9 April 1981 – Ian's plan drawing
Brown's Flax Mill at Paetawa, May 2011
Supporters of the Heritage Trail