Melansian Mission at Mission Bay reopens

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...

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2017AGM held at Ellen Melville Centre

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...

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Christchurch Heritage Restoration Wins UNESCO Award

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....

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Civic Trust highlights heritage values on Stuff

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,...

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Heritage Festival Debate 2017

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...

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Commissioners Decline Demolition Consent

Last week Auckland Council Hearing Commissioners declined the application to demolish the Category B St James Sunday School Hall at 31 Esplanade Rd Mt Eden. The applicants View West wanted consent to demolish the 1885 Gothic early concrete building to facilitate the conversion of the adjacent St James Church into...

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Winter Lecture No 3: Huntly House, Grafton

At short notice, Civic Trust held a third Winter Lecture at Huntly House in Grafton last Sunday, 27 August. Huntly House, Category B listed with Auckland Council,  was built in 1875  for Captain James Stone, and is a magnificent example of the era of early concrete houses. Simon Dowd, son...

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