Hikurangi History

Built in Berlin in 1904, Bertha may have been small in stature, but she left a big mark on New Zealand's industrial history. From the coal mines of Waro and the cement works of Portland to her preservation at MOTAT, Bertha's remarkable journey spans more than 120 years. As one of only five German steam locomotives imported to New Zealand and the smallest ever to run on the nation's standard railway gauge, she remains a treasured piece of Hikurangi's heritage.