Godley Head Battery and Taylor Battery

Godley Head had been considered a suitable site for a coastal fort since the 19th Century, but it wasn't until 1939 that construction of two gun emplacements was authorised. With the outbreak of World War 2 a temporary battery was built on the northern side of the headland. Initially this consisted of two 60-pounder field guns on simple concrete pads, but by 1941 more permanent emplacements had been built for two 6-inch Mk VII guns. This was known as Taylor Battery and was operational for less than six months.

By December 1942 work on the main counter bombardment battery was completed and the 6-inch Mk XXIV guns had been mounted. The provision for a third 6-inch gun was approved in June 1942, but while the emplacement was completed by December 1943 the gun wasn't mounted until after the war. The third emplacement was designed to allow the gun a 360 degree arc.

Concrete observation posts were constructed as well as emplacements for searchlights at water level. Steep tracks had to be built and a small tunnel was built to provide access to the searchlights. Numerous barrack buildings, radar and other facilities were constructed during the war as well. The battery was deactivated in 1957.

The site is a reserve and is publicly accessible. Some of the structures were damaged during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake - in particular the searchlight emplacements (one completely destroyed) and associated access tunnel.