2000: Castle Pamela

January 16, 2023

By AHNZ

Castle Pamela (2000) combines heritage, toys, and entrepreneurship. It was created to show New Zealand toy history and to self-employ a family about to loose its dad. Unfortunately, it closed down after about 18 years. The owners have been trying to sell it since about 2008.

“We recently drove through Tirau – with our four grandchildren in the back seats. I told them I had a surprise and drove up to The Castle Pamela. They were thrilled to be able to see “a real castle” and we spent a very pleasant couple of hours touring through the facilities – and entering into the enchanting environment. The rest of our trip involved lots of discussions about various aspects of castles and their inhabitants.” – AlanT, Tripadvisor (2019)

“It was a gift from a dying man to his wife. Except he survived and now the castle on the hill that has overlooked Tirau, about 50 kilometres south of Hamilton, for almost 17 years is for sale….The pair bought land in Tirau and moved into two caravans while they built the castle. It took two years – working every day. Naming it Castle Pamela was Kelvin’s idea – to Pamela’s surprise on the opening day in 2000.” – Built in heartbreaking times, Castle Pamela in Tirau for sale, Stuff (2017)

The castle is still there in Tirau, Waikato, and so is the dad. Kevin Baker defeated his terminal illness and his wife Pamela got her castle. Unfortunately after some 18ys of success it has been shut down by government. The couple want to pass on their legacy but red tape property sale rules get in the way so here it remains; An expensive goldfish pond.
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Image ref. AHNZ Archives (2022)

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