The proposed demolition of one of Auckland’s earliest and grandest homes is proof the council has failed to preserve heritage, say protection groups. The meticulously preserved 1905 homestead at 9 Springcombe Rd in St Heliers was one of the original homes in the area but it could be bulldozed it...
The historic Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel is being sold after its foreign owners failed to undertake a promised redevelopment. The hotel, one of New Zealand’s oldest, opened its doors in 1889. Situated near Tirau in the Waikato, it can sleep 60 guests and has a nine-hole golf course. See the...
Members of Auckland Council’s Environment and Community Committee were today unanimous in their support to increase the councils Regional Historic Heritage Fund, voting to increase the fund from the current $84,000 fund to an amount of up to $500,000. The Regional Historic Heritage Fund is open to Historic Heritage Places...
This heartwarming article appeared in the July 21st Sunday Star-Times. It profiles English artist Martin Law, who now lives in Mt Eden. He plans to spend the next three decades painting thousands of historic New Zealand buildings he fears will be lost to neglect, property development and natural disasters. Law, originally...
In 2014 Kay Wooff allowed us to tour her heritage house and garden, Whare Tane, in Clive Rd Mt Eden, before she and her husband embarked on a major restoration project. In 2019 she has invited us back to see the house and garden transformed. A group of over 45...
Further to our post yesterday about the dire plight of the St James Theatre, Civic Trust president Allan Matson was interviewed by Wallace Chapman on RNZs The Panel programme last evening. Wallace Chapman has previously interviewed Allan Matson when he was host of RNZs Sunday Morning programme, and he has...
Sad news has been reported by Anne Gibson in the Herald on Tuesday 2 July. According to her article, a report to the council by Heritage Manager Noel Reardon, presents a grim future for the treasured theatre. See the full article here:
This week the Newsroom website featured a podcast and written piece on the sad situation of the St James Theatre. It explained the complicated ownership and financial situation, and interviewed George Farrant, the recently retired council Heritage Advisor. See here for details:
Proposed Plan Change 26 to the Unitary Plan has come about because there are anomilies between the Single House Zone rules and Special Character overlays. It is not clear which set of rules should have precedent, and the Environment Court has directed the council to amend the Unitary Plan accordingly....
Council’s Principal Heritage Advisor for over 30 years, George Farrant, is about to retire. Today he spoke at length on heritage projects and current heritage issues with Kathryn Ryan on RNZ’s Nine to Noon programme. He has been involved in significant heritage restoration projects in Auckland, including the Town Hall,...