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Thatcher on the Levels

  • Spectrum for 19 August 2012

    German master craftsman Norbert Kleinschmidt has built a new thatched roof on the 'old slab hut', a south Canterbury landmark. Norbert talks to Spectrum's Deborah Nation about his life and work as New… Read more Audio

A new thatched roof has been placed on ‘The Old Slab Hut’ in South Canterbury. It’s a Historic Places Trust project at The Levels near Pleasant Point and the work of master craftsman Norbert Kleinschmidt. It was an epic undertaking which required growing, harvesting and preparing triticale reed for the thatch.

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Norbert Kleinschmidt at The Old Slab Hut

At completion Norbert talked with Spectrum before heading back to his home in Nelson and leaving for summers work back in his other home near Hamburg, Germany.

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Norbert Kleinschmidt in his house-truck

After 20 years as the only thatcher in New Zealand, working largely with the Historic Places Trust, Norbert has worked internationally as well as raising two daughters, often from the mobile base of his house-truck.