Brian Dahlberg - Chateau Tongariro, National Park Tue, 23 Apr 2013

Chateau Tongaririo, National Park is the latest work in Brian Dahlberg's New Zealand Icon series. Here we see the embodiment of Dahlberg's unique and original style perfected over forty years. The viewer 'feels' the expanse of his subtly textured sky, the chill of snowcapped Tongaririo, the contours of the rolling hills and the comfort of the blue roofed Chateau nestled in the heart of this unmistakably New Zealand landscape. A magnificent and significant work.

The Chateau was designed by Timaru based architect Herbert Hall (1880-1939) who modelled his design on the Canadian Resort of Lake Louise. The foundation stone was laid on January 10, 1929. Fletchers Construction Ltd has employed a workforce of over eighty men with many of the labourers being recrited from nearby Waikune Prison. The Chateau was officially opened on 13 November 1929. During the war the building was used as a recuperation centre for returning Air Force personal. In 1990 Kah NZ Ltd, a subsidiary of a Malaysian based corporation purchased the historic property and spent several million dollars on refurbishment. Today Chateau Tongaririo is and award winning ski resort.