Civic Trust Auckland newsletter no. 1 May 2016

A team effort by Auckland Council heritage staff and Steve Bielby, representing one of the owners of the St James Theatre development, is achieving a positive outcome for a mid-century art work. As a result of apartment development in Queen St, involving the demolition of the old Odeon and Regent...

CTA Board members Allan Matson, Audrey van Ryn and Helen Geary met yesterday with mayoral candidate Phil Goff. The purpose of the meeting was to brief potential mayor Phil Goff on the many issues and threats to heritage in Auckland, both due to the current Unitary Plan process and the...

A 1920s building in Sandringham Village was demolished last month, without any public input or notification, despite the building being subject to the council’s Historic Character heritage overlay. This is very disturbing and throws into doubt the effectiveness of the proposed heritage overlays in the Unitary Plan, which council touts...

Auckland 2040’s Richard Burton was interviewed recently by Bernard Hickey for the website Interest.co.nz. Bernard was a critic of the recent decision by Auckland councillors to reject the extra upzoning proposed by council staff. In this interview the issues are comprehensively discussed, and Bernard gives Richard Burton an opportunity to...

Current city planning ideas for laneways are supporting our commercial heritage. The popularity of the shared streets in Auckland such as Elliot St, O’Connell St are showcasing the existing heritage buildings and adding to their value. Laneways developments in Newmarket have been successful, as have the newly created lanes in...

The stunning Art of Remembrance project, which covered the face of St David’s Church in Khyber Pass in 2015 over the Anzac Day period, is now showing at Te Papa, for Anzac Day 2016. The brass quatrefoils artworks by leading NZ artist Max Gimblett, who has had a life-long association...

Kinder House was the perfect setting for our Garden Party held last Sunday. The weather was glorious, the garden shady and cool, the food never-ending, and the music sublime. Many thanks to Margaret Barriball and friends who sang madrigals during the afternoon, and to Audrey van Ryn and her sister...

Civic Trust Auckland invites you to the lovely setting of Kinder House and Garden at 2 Ayr St, Parnell, this Sunday 13th March from 4pm.Refreshments served, including wine and juice.Musical entertainment will be provided.RSVP for catering purposes to: Margaret Barriball, Ph: 631 5260 or Email: margb@ihug.co.nzKoha welcomed.

The privatisation of Queen Elizabeth Square for a commercial development is being challenged by the Auckland Architectural Association, which wants a rethink of the deal. They would like to see some of the square retained for public use, to protect significant sightlines and to prevent wind tunnels. See this Herald...