Better protection in Auckland Council’s historic heritage schedule is needed for hundreds of historic commercial buildings in the face of both the higher density housing promoted by the Unitary Plan and central government’s more stringent rules for earthquake strengthening. Civic Trust Auckland president Allan Matson fears most of the Trust’s...
Once again, the Auckland Heritage Festival offers a wonderful variety of heritage-related events over two weeks and three weekends. Do check out the full programme at www.heritagefestival.co.nz Civic Trust is offering talks by landscape historian John Adam, and our President, heritage expert, Allan Matson. John Adam will be sharing his knowledge...
Our second Winter Lecture was held on Sunday 6 September at 123 Grafton Rd, now known as “Hum Salon”. Rosy Armitage and Oskari Miettenen presented on the history of the grand villa and the ongoing restoration project, which has mostly concentrated on the exterior so far. It was exciting to...
Don’t forget our second Winter Lecture of 2015 this Sunday 6th September at 123 Grafton Rd, from 3-5pm. 123 Grafton Rd Villa Restoration:This grand villa, situated prominently of the edge of Grafton Bridge, is the only survivor of the large villas that once lined Grafton Rd.The house is being progressively...
Dr Elizabeth Aitken-Rose laments the Unitary Plan Hearings Panel’s stance on heritage in an opinion piece in the Herald on 18 August 2015. She points out that the features that make Auckland unique, such as our volcanic cones and our collection of inner suburbs’ traditional timber houses, are not valued...
The Sunday Star-Times of 16 August 2015 published an in-depth article on the proposed demolition of the historic Hanna Block at King’s School. It outlines the building’s history and presents the case for retention, championed by old boy and Waitemata Local Board member Rob Thomas. Read the full article here.
The Last Day of “Remembrance” of the art installation at St David’s soldiers’ memorial church in Khyber Pass was marked by a very special presentation on 23 July. Corporal Apiata, VC presented Mark Bramwell, grandson of New Zealand’s only Gallipoli VC, and first WWI VC, Lieutenant Colonel Bassett, with a...
Talks aimed at removing density controls in the Proposed Unitary Plan for 50% of residential Auckland are being held between Auckland Council, developers and community group Auckland 2040. This would allow no density limits in the Mixed Housing Urban zone, and no density limits on sites greater than 1000 sq.m....
On Wednesday 15 July, the Unitary Plan Independent Hearings Panel released interim guidance which said it was not convinced that houses in character areas necessarily qualified for historic heritage status and protection. The panel said the council’s proposed interim demolition control overlay put unnecessary pressure on landowners wanting to develop...
Our first Winter Lecture for 2015 was held on Sunday 12 July. Civic Trust Board member architect Julian Mitchell from Mitchell Stout Architects presented on the redevelopment of the scheduled heritage Lopdell House, and the construction of the new Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery, linked to the older building. Julian...