Ambrico Kiln

Can you picture a chimney stretching 46 meters into the Auckland sky? That’s the Ambrico Kiln in New Lynn. It was the heart of a bustling brickworks, a landmark that dominated the landscape for decades. The Ambrico Kiln wasn’t always called that. Its story begins in 1929 with the Amalgamated Brick and Pipe Company. This company set up shop in New Lynn, drawn by the rich clay deposits along the Whau River. The area already had a history of brickmaking. But the Amalgamated Brick and Pipe Company brought a new level of scale and industry. With the onset of World War II, the company expanded even further. Import restrictions meant New Zealand needed its own source of crockery. The company, by then known as Crown Lynn, stepped up. They produced everything from those iconic white cups and saucers for the military and railways to fashionable dinnerware for Kiwi homes. The Ambrico Kiln, named after the original company, became the fiery heart of this production. It churned out thousands upon thousands of bricks and later, Crown Lynn pottery. At its peak, Crown Lynn became a giant in the Southern Hemisphere. It made more pottery than any other manufacturer in the region. The Ambrico Kiln itself was a testament to this success. This massive kiln wasn’t just functional. It was a symbol of New Lynn’s industrial might. It also attracted a wave of Pasifika immigrants, who found work in the booming factories. Sadly, this era ended in 1989. Crown Lynn couldn’t compete with cheaper imports. The factory closed its doors. The Ambrico Kiln fell silent. But the legacy of Crown Lynn, and the Ambrico Kiln, lived on. Today, Crown Lynn pottery is highly collectible. Those once-commonplace pieces now command high prices in antique shops. The kiln itself still stands. It’s a reminder of New Lynn’s rich industrial heritage. It’s a monument to the hard work and ingenuity that once fueled this bustling suburb.