The Wheelwright Hub offers expert wheelwrighting, carriage building, and coach painting services in New Zealand. Using traditional techniques and well-seasoned, purpose-selected timbers, we specialise in the construction and restoration of traditional wooden wheels, horse-drawn vehicles, and timber-bodied transport. Whether you're seeking bespoke carriage designs or restoring a historic vehicle, we work closely with you to bring your vision to life.
At The Wheelwright Hub, wheelwrighting is our foundation. We construct and repair all types of traditional wooden wheels using a proven selection of purpose-chosen hardwoods, each selected for specific structural properties:
Elm Hubs: chosen for their interlocking grain, which prevents splitting under load
Oak Spokes: used for their exceptional strength and rigidity
Ash or Hickory Felloes: selected for their natural flexibility and shock absorption
We also maintain an extensive range of Australian hardwoods specifically suited to heavy-duty and agricultural vehicles, making The Wheelwright Hub one of the only wheelwrighting workshops in New Zealand equipped to handle both heritage and working vehicle requirements.
Wooden wheels can be fitted with a wide selection of channel, solid rubber, and solid steel tyres to suit the vehicle type, period, and intended use.
The Wheelwright Hub builds and restores horse-drawn vehicles, tram bodies, and rail carriage bodies to the highest standard of historical accuracy and craftsmanship. Our carriage building service covers expert repairs, full new-builds of traditional horse-drawn vehicles, and bespoke commissions for clients with a unique vision or specific heritage requirements.
We work with quality seasoned timbers and apply specialist steam bending techniques to achieve the precise curves and profiles that define period-accurate carriage construction, skills that are increasingly rare in New Zealand and internationally.
The Wheelwright Hub provides specialist conservation services for horse-drawn vehicles and wooden-bodied transport, with a focus on stabilising and preserving original materials for the long term. Using modern conservation techniques, we work to prevent decay while honouring the historical integrity of every piece, ensuring that original craftsmanship, materials, and provenance remain intact. The result is an authentic visual wholeness that respects the unique history of each vehicle rather than erasing it.
Where conservation preserves, restoration rebuilds. The Wheelwright Hub's restoration service takes weathered horse-drawn vehicles and wooden-bodied transport through a complete frame-up overhaul; stripping every component to its core before rebuilding using premium seasoned timbers and hand-forged iron. The outcome is a vehicle returned to full structural integrity and a finish that equals original manufacturer standards, whether destined for a private collection, museum display, or active use.
The Wheelwright Hub produces comprehensive, specialist conservation reports for horse-drawn vehicles and wooden-bodied transport, providing owners, museums, and heritage collections with the professional documentation needed to guide preservation decisions and support funding applications.
Each report is tailored to the individual vehicle and includes:
Methodology: detailed conservation processes and specialist techniques specific to period materials, including wood, leather, metal, and textiles
Financial Planning: clear projections of anticipated costs to support accurate budgeting and stakeholder sign-off
Funding Support: professional evidence and justification structured to strengthen applications for heritage grants and external funding bodies
Display and Aftercare: bespoke plans for environmental management and exhibition to ensure long-term stability and conservation integrity
