Peter Macky, a past Civic Trust Board member, has been working for the past 10 years on the restoration of an 1866 railway station used by the German Kaiser. Peter spends six months of the year in Berlin, running cycle tours and supervising the restoration. See here for his intriguing...
See here for a recent Opinion piece in the Herald, by architect David Kernohan. He is of the opinion that the legislation requiring earthquake strengthening of heritage buildings is creating unnecessary costs. He worries that the current legislation may see the demise of many country towns and older city precincts....
Community groups, including Civic Trust, Stop Stealing our Harbour, and Urban Auckland are encouraging the community to make submissions on the council proposal to place concrete mooring “dolphins” and walkways off Queen’s Wharf, to cater for mega cruise ships. See here for an opinion piece by Julie Stout, from Urban...
Heritage NZ’s latest email newsletter has reported that a demolition consent application for Thain’s Building in Whanganui has been declined. Independent Commissioner, Rob Van Voorthuysen, has declined consent to demolish the 110-year-old Thain’s Building on the corner of Taupo Quay and Victoria Avenue in Whanganui. The applicant owner sought...
The restoration of the St James Theatre is on hold at present, due to the proposed associated apartment complex not proceeding. A $250m 39-level apartment building was meant to be built next to it, but that’s been cancelled. Steve Bielby, in charge of the restoration, said all works were suspended....
The Bishop Selwyn Chapel, opened in 2016, has completed the Holy Trinity Cathedral complex in Parnell, and was the catalyst for the Civic Trust guided tour of the complex on Sunday, 2 September. We learnt about the history of the various elements that make up the cathedral complex, with the chancel...
The Bishop Selwyn Chapel, opened in 2016, has completed the Holy Trinity Cathedral complex in Parnell, and was the catalyst for the Civic Trust guided tour of the complex on Sunday, 2 September. We learnt about the history of the various elements that make up the cathedral complex, with the chancel...
Bill McKay from the Architecture faculty at the University of Auckland had a very thoughtful discussion on Radio NZ today, about the risk to heritage in the regions, following the legislation enacted after the Christchurch earthquakes. He points out that many heritage buildings in the regions are either empty or...
In recent days Auckland Council has had two planning decisions go against it. Yesterday there was extensive media coverage on the decision by the Environment Court to make over 400 building consents no longer current. Following on from the new rules in the Unitary Plan, council had issued consents under...
Last Saturday saw a happy band of Civic Trust volunteers planting 50 native trees in the Harbutt Reserve, bordering Oakley Creek in Mt Albert, to celebrate our 50 year anniversary. It’s part of the new cycle/walkway that starts from the edge of the Waterview Tunnel at Waterview, crosses Oakley Creek...