Urban Auckland call to resist mega cruise ships

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...

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Demolition Consent Declined for Whanganui Heritage Building

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...

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Winter Lecture 2: Holy Trinity Cathedral Tour

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...

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Planning Problems for Auckland Council

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there was extensive media coverage on the decision by the Environment Court to make over 400 building consents no longer current.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...

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Devonport Cottage new Heritage NZ listing

Heritage New Zealand’s recent listing of this Devonport cottage is showcased on their Facebook page: Over 140 years old, this worker’s cottage is a Devonport heritage classic. Built by master builder Arthur Mofflin – who worked at the nearby Niccol’s boatyard – the newly Category 2-listed house reflects the skills...

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Winter Lecture 1: Hamurana Revisited

For over 20 years in the 1980s and 1990s 29 Princes St, known as Hamurana, was the home of Civic Trust Auckland. One of the five merchant houses still preserved on Princes St, backing on to Albert Park, Hamurana has an important place in the history of Civic Trust Auckland....

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