Last Wednesday, a public gathering of about 200 local people and other supporters was held outside the Leys Institute to protest its closure. These included members of the Freemans Bay Residents Association, the St Mary’s Bay Association, and Civic Trust Auckland. Addressing the crowd were Richard Northey, the chair of the Waitemata Local Board; Bob Tait, engineer; and David Abbott of the St Mary’s Bay Association.

Locals want their library and gymnasium reopened and also have concerns about the protection and restoration of this 1905 Category 1 and Category A heritage building, which was gifted to the people of Auckland by the Leys family.

Photo credit: Connor Conway, Ponsonby News