To meet its obligations under the Act and support all areas of its work, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga frequently reviews and updates entries on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero

The List has been developed since the 1970s under a succession of legislative requirements, and entries reflect the practices and historical perspectives of the time they were listed. In most cases, the information recorded was brief.  The current legislation requires that the List is maintained. One of the ways this is done is by revisiting older entries to fill gaps, correct or expand information, and ensure each place is understood through the lens of contemporary best practice.

One of the recently updated listings is the First State House (1937). When this place was first recognised in 1986, very little information was recorded about its broader significance. Today, its entry explores the social and architectural narratives connected to the First Labour Government’s landmark state housing initiative. Built in Miramar, Wellington and opened by Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage in 1937, the house symbolises the beginning of a major shift toward state-supported welfare. It also provides insight into urban planning, domestic architecture, and the lived experiences of state tenants in Aotearoa. 

From a story by Annie James in Heritage this Month

Image: Heritage NZ