Piako was a flag station,[1] at the junction of SH26 and Horrell Rd,[2] on the former Thames Branch, 2.87 km (1.78 mi) east of Morrinsville and 4.03 km (2.50 mi) west of Tatuanui.[3]

The area was owned in succession by politicians:

• Thomas Gillies[4]
• William Murray, who built nearby Annandale House about 1881[4] and planned a township, hoping the Kinleith Branch junction would be here, rather than Morrinsville[5]
• William Shepherd Allen who built sheep pens and a loading race in May 1890 and stockyards in 1898.[5] The Allen family owned the farm from 1887[6] to 1920[7] and still owns Annandale House, which has been a Category 1 listed building since 1989.[8]

Work was continuing when the branch opened to Te Aroha.[9] Murray's had a platform, then a shelter was added in 1887. In December 1912 it was renamed Piako,[5] as had been expected when it opened.[10] It closed to passengers on 22 November 1948.[11] The station building was removed in December 1961 and the stock yards in 1968.[5] The site became Murray Oaks Scenic Reserve in 1975.[12]

References

External links

• Photo of Annandale House
• 1941 aerial photo