An engineer working for View West Developments, who are attempting to demolish the Category B St James Church Hall in Mt Eden, spoke on RNZ’s Morning Report last Friday about the “significant danger” posed to the public. Oison Frost said there was “no other option but to knock the building...
The draft of the refreshed Auckland Plan for the next 30 years was released this week. Built and historic heritage is completely absent from both the Plan Overview and the Full Draft Plan. It seems that environmental and cultural heritage are now the only types of heritage in Auckland. A...
Christchurch City Council is now inviting applications from individuals, groups and organisations interested in using and/or helping to fund the restoration of 17 Council-owned heritage facilities across the city and Banks Peninsula. The list of buildings being considered (including the iconic Sign of the Tahake) can be seen here. Others...
Submissions for Council’s notified Plan Change 7 closed on 9 February. The plan change seeks to add additional buildings to the heritage schedule, now the Unitary Plan is in place. Civic Trust supports the proposed Plan Change and especially the proposed scheduling of St David’s Church in Khyber Pass Rd...
In this month’s email newsletter from Heritage New Zealand there is an item on government grants for earthquake strengthening, highlighting completed projects. See here for the Heritage This Month newsletter and scroll down to the seventh item. If you are not already receiving this email newsletter, it is very easy...
The 157 year old Melanesian Mission complex owned by Heritage New Zealand has been seismically upgraded, restored and reopened as a function and events centre. A modern pavilion adjacent to the building is now a restaurant and cafe. Nicholas Chin, director of organisational development at Heritage New Zealand says “The...
On Sunday 12 November, Civic Trust held its 2017 AGM in the Betty Wark Room at the recently reopened Ellen Melville Centre in Freyberg Place, Auckland Central. The refurbished Ellen Melville Centre, also known at the Pioneer Womens’ Hall, is now a vibrant community centre, with various spaces available for...
The online news site Newsroom is featuring an article on the restored Christchurch Arts Centre, which has been awarded a UNESCO award for cultural heritage conservation. Following the Christchurch earthquakes, the Trust that looks after the Arts Centre embarked on a long and meticulous restoration of the much-loved damaged buildings....
Stuff website is carrying an article and video about the heritage values of the St James Church Hall, in Esplanade Rd, Mt Eden, which is the subject of an application for demolition consent, declined by Auckland Council’s hearing commissioners. Mandy Te, a reporter from the Central Leader and Fairfax Group,...
As part of the Auckland Council Heritage Festival for 2017 Civic Trust organised a debate on the subject “There is adequate protection for heritage”. Under MC Hamish Keith, Civic Trust’s patron, seven speakers spoke eloquently mainly on the negative. The conclusion was that, although some positive things are happening in...