Noun : oculus, plural noun : oculi Meaning: A round or eyelike opening or design, in par�cular Noun : oculus, plural noun : oculi Meaning: A round or OCULUS June 2020 eyelike opening or design, in par�cular OCULUS June 2020 occasional newsletter of Mark the date for conference Historic PlacesHistoric Aotearoa Places Aotearoa PresidentHistoric James Places Aotearoa Blackburne President James Blackburne AUGUST 2020 It has been a this will provide an opportunity for local FROM THE TOP turbulent time for heritage tourism as many people will be theIt hascountry been since a turbulent looking time for forthings the to country do as they over travel the past few months and no It has been a turbulent time for the countryMarchdoubt and over things just as will the remainaround. past some This few will what provide months fluid an for opportunity the and foreseeable no future. For many weof were us, the settling lock downto tell has the meant stories a changeof your place in the to way the we all operate and for doubt things will remain some what fluidmany for heritage the organisations foreseeable we have notfuture. been able to connect For many with our back to normal people of Aotearoa. of us, the lock down has meant a changemembers. in the Over way the coming we all years operate domestic tourism and for is likely to boom and this wewill have provide again an opportunityHPA’s Executive for local is heritageconcerned tourism that as many people will be many heritage organisations we have notbeenlooking beenlocked for things able totheto do Government’s as connect they travel desire around. with to fast-track our This will provide an opportunity downto tell (at the Level stories 2 ofprojects your place around to the the country people will of Aotearoa. place members. Over the comingHPA President years domesticor 3). No doubt tourism heritage is likely at a greater to risk. boom and this James Blackburne will provide an opportunityThe for Executive local is heritage concernedthings will that tourism remain the governmentsWe as will manybe desirelobbying peopleto government fast track will projects be around the country will place heritage at a greater risk. We will be lobbying government about this and ask that you also somewhat fluid for the foreseeable about this and ask that you also contact looking for things to do ascontact they you travel local MP's around. and advocate This for will our heritage provide to be anprotected opportunity in any new legislation. future. For many of us, the lockdown your local MPs and advocate for our to tell the stories of your placehasThe meant conference to a change the date people in the and way location we of all Aotearoa. has beenheritage set, to so be please protected put in the any weekend new of the 17th and 18th operate.October in your dairies and start planninglegislation. for a trip to Whanganui. More details on the planned The Executive is concerned that the governmentseventsMany desire heritage and speakers organisations to fast will be track have released projects overOur the conference coming around months date and the as location they country come has to hand. not been able to connect with their been set, so please put the weekend will place heritage at a greater risk. We will be lobbyingmembers. Over governmentthe coming years, aboutof 16 to this 18 October and in ask your diaries that and you also contact you local MP's and advocate for our heritagedomesticArchitectural tourism to be is likely protected to Term boom and instart any planning new a trip legislation. to Whanganui now. Working together the key The conference date and location has been set,Making so please our heritage put visible, the weekend ofHeritage the 17th and Research and 18th October in your dairies and start planning for avaluable trip to and Whanganui. protected for More detailsLibrary on with the talks planned and events and speakers will be released over the comingfuture generations months is theDoric as: The they Doric come order, the to earliestpresentations hand. type offrom classical 1pm. Greek architecture, has a theme for Historic Placessimple yet powerful capital design.Keynote speakers include Aotearoa’s annual conference Heritage NZ board chair in October. Marian Hobbs; Maori HPA executive member and Heritage Council chair Sir CouncillorWikipedia: Original source wasJohn an Clarke; engraving Heritage from NZA. Rosengarten, A Handbook Architectural Term Helen Craig is delightedof to Architectural Styles, NY, 1898chief executive Andrew be hosting the conference on Helen Craig Coleman; and Whanganui Saturday 17 October in her District Council heritage home town, one of ’s most officer Scott Flutey. significantNew Year heritage Honours cities. 2020 The AGM will be followed by a Welcoming drinks at NZ Glassworks Saturday night dinner and a Sunday will set the mood on Friday 16 October morning“To double be a Damedecker guided Companion bus when master glass artist Philip Stokes of thetour New to heritage Zealand sites Orderof interest. of Merit: Doric: The Doric order, thewill earliest demonstrate type glass blowing. of classical His The Greek conference architecture, is hosted by the has a artwork may be auctioned near theCRIGHTON, end Whanganui Dr Anna Regional Louisa Heritage de Launey, Trust simple yet powerful capitalof the design. event as a fundraiser. Board in partnership with HPA.QSO, JP” Easy self-directed walks on Saturday Helen Craig says the conference is morning include the Rivertraders an opportunity to connect grass-roots Market, a craft and farmers market heritage organisations with policy- on the banks of the Whanganui“For services River, to heritagemakers preservation and Heritage andNZ in governance” a relaxed artists’ studios, boutique shopping and setting. Dame Anna Crighton was the founding President of Wikipedia: Original sourcecafes was in the an the engraving heritage town centre, from A.“This Rosengarten, shouldHistoric make for Places better A Aotearoa. heritage Handbook of Architectural Styles, NY,and 1898 the Sarjeant Art Gallery, Quarts outcomes. Key discussion points will Ceramic Museum and Whanganui include strategies to make our heritage Regional Museum. visible, valuable and protected. The AGM and conference gets under HPA has developed a comprehensive way from 10am at the Alexander Continued on page 5

New Year Honours 2020OCULUS Congratulations in Order The HPA Executive congratulates heritage campaigner and historian Dame Anna Crighton for “Toher be 2020 a New Dame Year’s Honour. Companion Our founding president was named as a Dame of the NewCompanion Zealand of the New Order Zealand ofOrder Merit: of Merit for her services to heritage preservation and governance. She was previously awarded a Queen’s CRIGHTON, DrService Anna Order Louisa and is a JP. de Launey, QSO, JP”

“For services to heritage preservation and governance”

Dame Anna Crighton was the founding President of Historic Places Aotearoa. Noun : oculus, plural noun : oculi Meaning: A round or eyelike opening or design, in par�cular OCULUS June 2020

Historic Places Aotearoa President James Blackburne

It has been a turbulent time for the country over the past few months and no doubt things will remain some what fluid for the foreseeable future. For many of us, the lock down has meant a change in the way we all operate and for many heritage organisations we have not been able to connect with our members. Over the coming years domestic tourism is likely to boom and this will provide an opportunity for local heritage tourism as many people will be looking for things to do as they travel around. This will provide an opportunity to tell the stories of your place to the people of Aotearoa. The Executive is concerned that the governments desire to fast track projects around the country will place heritage at a greater risk. We will be lobbying government about this and ask that you also contact you local MP's and advocate for our heritage to be protected in any new legislation.

The conference date and location has been set, so please put the weekend of the 17th and 18th October in your dairies and start planning for a trip to Whanganui. More details on the planned events andNew speakers Zealand will Heritage be released “Blue” over Plaque the coming Update months as they come to hand.

One new Plaque at Kurow, five ordered for Timaru and five more planned for Ashburton After another successful year delivering five more Blue Heritage Plaques for Mid Canterbury, HPMC ARCHITECTURALare looking TERMS at doingHPA a further EXECUTIVE five plaques MAHI within the region this year. ArchitecturalexplainedThe South CanterburyOver the Historical past Term few months, Society the Executive (an HPA Reporting Associate member) and the Timaru Civic Trust have also ‘pickedhas up been: the baton’ and are progressingHPA treasurer the Blue Chelle Plaque Gandell has initiative found in South Canterbury, Lobbying that not all our Members Organisations DORIC with the first five Blue Plaques currently on order and due to be placed on five heritage buildingsin Timaru in the firstthe Primehalf Minister of 2020. in her capacity as are registered charities. Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Of those who are, not all are up to about the proposed Covid-10 Recovery date with their annual reporting and We also had an enquiry(fast-track from consenting) the 87 Bill. year-oldThe joint not all are using the correct reporting Grandson of Kurow’sletter to first her from resident HPA and ICOMOSDoctor, was who formart. We will be in touch to provide a contacted us fromfollowed the UK, by another where to hevarious resides, ministers to reminder and necessary support. see if we could produceand party spokespeople. a Blue Plaque to go JamesDoric Blackburne :appeared The before Doric the Discussing order, the earliest type of classical Greek architecture, has a on the original Doctor’sParliamentary House Committee in this re tiny,Covid-19 but • the idea that regional heritage awards historic North Otagoin June.simple township. yet powerfulwill feed capital into a national design. award • policy development on strengthening This house was laterMaking occupied submissions by Dr D. G. protection for heritage with Ministry McMilan, who, alongto Government with Rev. on A. H. for Arts, Culture and Heritage. Nordmeyer and localThe Resource Headmaster Management Mr A. M. Davidson (knownAmendment as the ‘Three Bill (Nov Wise 2019) Men’ of And James as HPA President Kurow), met regularlythe Comprehensive in this house Review to of develop the RMA • talks every six weeks with Heritage what was eventuallyled by to Tony become Randerson New QC (April Zealand’s 2020) NZ CE Andrew Coleman, and the NationalWikipedia: Policy Statement – Urban Original presidents source of NZIA President was ICOMOS an engraving from A. Rosengarten, A Handbook ground-breakingDevelopment, Social Security Ministry system for the which and NZ Archaeological Association was introduced whenEnvironmentof the Architectural first (April) Labour Styles,• puts his name NY, on HPA submissions 1898 and government came to power in 1935. media releases Preparing applications • appears before parliamentary The Doric order, theAn earliest earlier type plaque of to on the the Provincial site, whichGrowth Fund was for committees classical Greek architecture,produced has bya the NorthTairawhiti, Otago Hawke’s branch Bay and Whanganui of the • provides advice simple yet powerful capital design. to each install 100 aluminium blue • networks formally and informally. Wikipedia: Original sourceformer was an engraving NZ Historic Places Trust neglected to heritage plaques on historic buildings from A. Rosengarten, Amention Handbook of the Kurow’s first resident Doctor, NewArchitectural Styles, NY, Yearwhom 1898 the house Honoursand was sites originally as part of a built nationwide for. 2020 The wording on the replacementheritage trail. plaque now includes reference to the original date and New plaquepurpose at of this Kurow modest little and (unlisted) more 1893 in planning After delivering fiveOamaru Blue Heritage Stone bungalow.A. H. Nordmeyer The and new headmaster plaque A. was plaque now includes reference to Plaques last year, Historicplaced Places on Mid- an existingM. Davidson plinth (known outside as the the ‘Three the original date“To and purpose be of athis Dame Companion Canterbury is lookingDoctor’s to install five House (nowWise Men’ a private of Kurow), residence) met regularly in ofmodest the (unlisted) New 1893 Oamaru Zealand Stone Order of Merit: more within the regionJanuary this year. 2020. here to develop what was eventually bungalow. The South Canterbury Historical to become New Zealand’s ground- In January 2020, the new plaque was Society (an HPA Associate member) and breaking Social Security system, placed on an existing plinth outside the Timaru Civic TrustDuring are progressing the course introduced of the research when the first for Labour this the now private residence. During the Blue Plaque initiativebuilding, in South we alsogovernment uncoveredNew Zealandcame the to originalpowerCRIGHTON, Heritage in 1935. “Blue”research Plaque for Update this Dr building, Anna the original Louisa de Launey, Canterbury, with thearchitectural first five plaques drawings An earlier of theplaque Doctor’s on the site, house produced architectural drawings of the house currently on order andwhich due to revealed be placed thatby the it wasNorth designedOtagoOne newbranch Plaque by of at the Kurow,the five orderedwere found,for Timaru showing and fiveit was more designed planned byfor Ashburton QSO, JP” on five heritage buildings in Timaru in formerAfter NZ another Historic successful Places year Trust delivering did not five morearchitect Blue Heritage John Megget Plaques Forrester, for Mid Canterbury, son of HPMC renowned architect Johnare looking Megget at doing a furtherForrester, five plaques within the region this year. the first half of 2020.son (See of page Thomas 7.) Forrestermention Kurow’s (of Forrester first resident & doctor, Lemon Thomas Forrester (of Forrester & Lemon The 87-year-old grandson of Kurow’s for whomThe South the house Canterbury was Historical originally Society (an HPAfame) Associate and member) architect and theof TimaruOamaru Civic Opera Trust fame) and the architecthave of also the ‘picked Oamaru up the baton’ Opera and are progressing the Blue Plaque initiative in South Canterbury, first resident doctor contacted HPMC built. Thewith thewording first five on theBlue replacement Plaques currently House.on order and due to be placed on five heritage buildingsin House. Timaru in the first half of 2020. from the UK, where he lives, to We also had an enquiry from the 87 year-old Grandson of Kurow’s first resident Doctor, who see if we could contacted us from the UK, where he resides, to produce a Blue “Forsee if we could services produce a Blue Plaque to to go heritage preservation and governance” on the original Doctor’s House in this tiny, but Plaque to go historic North Otago township.

on the original This house was later occupied by Dr D. G. Doctor’s House in McMilan, who, along with Rev. A. H. NordmeyerDame and local Headmaster Anna Mr A. M. Crighton was the founding President of this tiny, historic Davidson (known as the ‘Three Wise Men’ of North Otago Kurow), met regularly in this house to develop what was eventually to become New Zealand’s Historic Places Aotearoa. township. This ground-breaking Social Security system which was introduced when the first Labour house was later government came to power in 1935. occupied by Dr An earlier plaque on the site, which was D. G. McMilan produced by the North Otago branch of the former NZ Historic Places Trust neglected to who, with Rev. mention the Kurow’s first resident Doctor, whom the house was originally built for. The 2 wording on the replacement plaque now includes reference to the original date and purpose of this modest little (unlisted) 1893 Oamaru Stone bungalow. The new plaque was placed on an existing plinth outside the Doctor’s House (now a private residence) in January 2020.

During the course of the research for this building, we also uncovered the original architectural drawings of the Doctor’s house which revealed that it was designed by the renowned architect John Megget Forrester, son of Thomas Forrester (of Forrester & Lemon fame) and the architect of the Oamaru Opera House. are setfor development. highrise protectionscharacter likedemolition. and appearsexcluded from existing their oldvilla,thestreet didn’t qualify to makedeterminations. werehomes andneighbourhoods used condition. street Google viewphotos of areas are determined by uniformity of micro-areas ofprotection. Micro- Berhampore –willbereplaced by AroMt Cook, Valley, Newtown and protection –Mt Victoria, Thorndon, whichhaveSuburbs widespread areas.break character uptheinnercity ensured theruleoflaw protects them. our shared value, community and exists becauseweidentity expressed hillside. They are ouridentity. That of wooden housesnestledinto the when we thinkof Wellington, we think but character particular homes.character and expense ofheritage resilient -butnotat the city date. foolish, flawedcalls andoutof Spatial Plan–whichHPWellington Wellington Council’s City draft isbeginningwith in decades The biggestbuildingderegulation Spatial plan ‘foolish andoutofdate’ –HPWellington concerned because aboutthedraft growthof-date model. We are deeply housing needs, instead ofthecity’s out- Assessment withreal data about Housing andBusinessDevelopment tourists andbusinesspeople. bringing large numbersofstudents, flights anddirect fromextension Asia including thelikelyhaltonairport council’s projected growth figures makeitsensibleto check factors post-COVID climate. it to reconsider inresponse itsdraft to a wrote to Wellington Council City asking population inagreen city. to accommodate amuchhigher OCULUSplanning rulesrelaxed, theaimbeing would and restrictions belifted Plan showing mapsofwhere height Augustearly to release Spatial adraft threatensDraft to destroy capital’s character Historic PlacesHistoric Wellington (HPW) Wellington councillors voted in “Sixty percent areas ofthecharacter “Sixty neighbourshave“If 1960s windows in “Wellington’s Spatial Plan draft will “Foreign citieshave their “We want acompact “HPW now seeksanew, realistic HPW chairFelicity Wong says several Felicity Wong says: early Augustearly 2020. Wellington councillors in presented herthoughts to FelicityHPW chair Wong replaced withmicro-areas ofcharacter areas currently haveinner-city willbe Berhampore andAro Valley. Victoria, Thorndon, Newtown, MtCook, designated areas character ofMt it proposes to break up Wellington’s change required to fit folk into ourcity. exaggerates theamount ofzoning Spatial PlanBut thedraft grossly now. canbestarted housing projects homesfor people.making Realistic housing andto become agreen city, York. Wellington needsaffordable suburb, issetto become aminiNew suburbs. wooden integrity throughout older degree ofsingleanddoublestorey to pepper-pot buildingswithahigh willenabledevelopers de-regulation housed peoplefrom allwalks oflife. The throughout Thorndon andAro Valley. Berhampore andtwo to three stories Victoria, Newtown, MtCook and buildings across large areas ofMt streetsprotection only.” for particular follow us@HistoricPlacesWellington experiences.”heritage communities that value diverse Let’s work together to buildconnected life andhave stories to tell aboutusall. have housedpeoplefrom allwalks of Whanganui a Tara. The areas character have in newandoldheritage Te over another.of history Many people trend oferasure andremoval. areas character willcontinuepre-1930 a Allowing demolitionof Wellington’s won’t betaught inschoolsuntil 2022. itshistory. acknowledging NZhistory “The suburb-wide protections suburb-wide “The “We know New Zealand“We know hasa problem of the urgency “HPW acknowledges “Newtown, thecity’s oldcommercial have suburbs heritage “Inner-city The alsoenablessix-storey draft Keep Our Character at Character our.actionstation.org.nzKeep Our & isnotaboutprivileging onestrand “It It isoutofdate inassessing It Development 2020(NPS-UD). Policy Statement onUrban Government’s newNational used doesn’t comply withthe Assessment computer modelit WCC notingtheHousing required). (as andelderly of Māori no data abouthousingneeds housing demand, andcontains “HPW haswritten to consultations continue for eight weeks. Spatial Plandraft on10August andwill 2020.” Plan to comply withthenewNPS-UD WCC hassinceSpatial amendeditsdraft density”, initiated underaprevious NPS. Wellington’s planningfor earlier “gentle planned densification. to suburbs character beexempt from requested by HPA andHPW. S6 matters from densification, as to exclude sites heritage andother released inJuly, contains thepower Statement Development, onUrban and character.” but notby erasing thecity’s heritage See wellington.govt.nz/have-your-say/See Consultation beganonthecouncil’s 2020overtook NPS-UD “The Felicity Wong says HPWwillaskfor The Government’s newNational Policy DevelopmentNPS-Urban [email protected] ( Gandell Chelle EX-OFFICIO [email protected] Felicity Wong [email protected] Christopher Templeton [email protected] Denis Pilkington [email protected] Nigel Isaacs [email protected] Mark Gerrard [email protected] Helen Craig [email protected] James Blackburne(president) are: members Its meets monthly viaMicrosft Teams. The HPA seven-member executive Our executive treasurer)

3 Is this another case of demolition by neglect? What’s happening with Wellington’s Gordon Wilson Flats? Is the current stasis likely to result in demolition by neglect? Victoria University of Wellington is yet to seek a resource consent, which it must do if it plans to demolish this mid-1950s landmark. And when and if it does seek consent, this is likely to be contested. HPW vice-chairman Dr Ben Schrader looks into the matter.

The Gordon Wilson Flats is a high-rise block built by the state in the mid- 1950s to house inner city workers in modern and spacious apartments. The flats were a beacon for a more compact city; an alternative to the prevailing suburban sprawl. Designed by the Government architect, Gordon Wilson, it is an early Dr Ben Schrader and sophisticated example of Brutalist architecture in New Zealand. That most heritage values. flats were maisonettes (had two levels) But its derelict increased the building’s distinctiveness. state and the wide The block proved very popular with dislike of Brutalist tenants, who valued its central location architecture has and sunny aspect. meant there is little In the early 2010s, Housing New public support Zealand closed the flats on the grounds for the building’s it had become structurally unsafe. retention. The Gordon Wilson Flats. The organisation sold the building to The university has its type in New Zealand, therefore Victoria University, which planned to done minimal maintenance on the increasing its national importance. demolish it and rebuild on the site. structure and this has led to fears of I can only hope that we can get It sought the removal of District demolition by neglect. a largely sceptical public to better Plan protection and won. This was The destruction this year of the appreciate the heritage values of the challenged in 2017 by the Architectural building’s Auckland ‘twin’ (the Upper Gordon Wilson Flats and, as a result, Centre in the Environment Court, Greys Avenue Flats) has increased the that it will become more morally which rejected the building’s removal heritage values of the Gordon Wilson difficult for the Victoria University to from the plan because of its very high Flats. It is now the sole example of demolish the building. Remembering the past for a collective future How do we Morrie Love, She said it was a long, frustratingly remember the Wellington City bureaucratic process. Only 12 percent past? What place do Council iwi relations of some 2000 names in Wellington were colonial memorials manager Nicky Karu in Te Reo. She said council’s approach have in public and historian Ewan to monuments was to be community- spaces? How can Morris. led. People were encouraged to convey we better represent HPWellington’s their views by, for instance, writing to diverse histories in Felicity Wong joined the Mayor.” the landscape? the packed National Ewan posed a set of important These were some Library auditorium, questions or criteria for decisions about of the questions later commenting: monuments in Aotearoa: discussed at the first “Morrie Love • Does the memorial represent someone Public History Talk of thought the William responsible for crimes against the year at National Wakefield memorial humanity? Library. at the Basin Reserve • What was the purpose and context for The event is a cricket grounds was the memorial’s creation? collaboration between the National not particularly inappropriate. He said • Are the inscriptions or imagery Library of New Zealand and Manatū it is much more important to educate offensive? Taonga Ministry for Culture and ourselves about local and national • Is the location problematic? Heritage. history. It was often more complex than • Does the memorial dominate the In July, Victoria University Professor could be rendered on a plaque. landscape? of Māori Education Joanna Kidman Council official Nicky Karu talked • Has it become a rallying point for hate? hosted a panel to discuss and offer a about the city council’s Te Reo policy • Does the memorial cause significant facilitated conversation with the public to correct inaccurate place and street offence to a substantial number of on colonial memorials, history and names (eg Waripori St to Te Wharepouri people? memory. St) and to allocate mana whenua The free public history talks are usually held on The panelists were writer and historian names to new buildings or streets. the first Wednesday of the month, March to Nov. 4 Together we canmake a real difference.” to discussandshare ideastogether. to form aneffective partnership. of heritage, HPA iskeento work together incredible assetfor future generations. help NewZealand’s become heritage an From page1: of heritage AGM to raise profile hub ofcommerce mercantile and activities. colonial mercantile oftheWhanganui housesand reminder ofonethemostimportant surviving Johnston &Co. (1914), Whanganui.Theonly the Whanganui to RiverRoad the 1 status, andnumerous marae along was awarded Category NZHeritage Paul’s Church, which Memorial sites ofsignificance includingthe St are alsoalarge numberofMāori dating between 1860and1960. There significant numberofbuildingstyles centre.and dominating thecity buildings,heritage stilllargely intact, highest concentrations ofEuropean centreheritage for NewZealand. growing reputation asasignificant buildingsandhasa to-wall heritage andmuchmore.and markets festival, cultural festival andheritage events includingtours, abeerandwine amassive after 48 on 31October AwardsRegional Heritage andends withthe on1October starts Month OCULUSWhanganui Heritage. middle ofamonth-long celebration of conference willtakeplace rightinthe Nearly 50events plannedfor heritagemonth The second Whanganui Heritage PlacesThe Historic Aotearoa AGM and “This conference“This isamechanism that projects raise theprofile “Through They represent acomplete and hasoneofNewZealand’sThe city Whanganui’s central area city iswall- plan ofinitiatives that will www.whanganuiheritagetrust.org.nz taste ofwhat isto come. Heritage Trust’s 2019Programme for a emphasis, seethe Whanganui Regional from 1September2020. printed Event Guidewillbeavailable events, sothiswilltakesometime. A posted to Facebook, butthere are 48 completed. events Some have been settlement ofJerusalem. Ripe forrestoration inWhanganui’sRipe –the1922Native Court Land centre. city condition and is in the Art Deco style. condition andisintheArt years. forthat hasbeenempty at least10 Rutland Street 1building isaCategory building. Craig, haspurchased itsfirst test-case Restoration Trust, chaired by Helen New life planned for oldbones While eachyear willsee adifferent The 2020Event Programme isalmost It is still largely intact inoriginal isstilllargely intact It The 1922Native at 11 LandCourt The new Whanganui Heritage 1 Oct 1 OCTOBER –31OCTOBER 2020 • • • • • • • • Awards, theeight award categories are: Heritage ontheCanterbury Modelled ceremony. awards programme andawards through andinnovative aquality education by recognising excellence retention,heritage and conservation Districts. Ruapehu andRangitikei inthe conservation Whanganui, Consulting, celebrate and heritage Month. official openingof WhanganuiHeritage AwardsHeritage ceremony the marks Heritage awards redevelopment. the and thelike, andwillsupport and fundingapplications to Lotteries Town Centre Regeneration Plan. ofCouncil’srestoring themaspart in thecity’s CBDwith a viewto fully prone buildings heritage earthquake Trust was setupto purchase August. The aimisto promote andcelebrate The awards, sponsored by DIZHUR The 2020 Whanganui Regional Council is supporting by wayCouncil ofloans issupporting The Whanganui Restoration Heritage Award entriescloseonMonday 31 Rural and all of Rangitikei. Rural andallofRangitikei. Realm Maori Seismic Future Heritage contributionOutstanding to Heritage TourismHeritage Public –Saved Realm andrestored –SavedDomestic andrestored 5 Power to the people The Story of the Hastings Power Station by Denis Pilkington Electricity first came to Hawke’s Bay in 1892 with the establishment of the Mokopeka hydro-electric power station on the Maraetotara River built by John Chambers to power his house, woolshed and water pump. This plant is still operational today. With increased interest in electricity from the early 20th century, the Hastings Borough Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board building, Hastings, and (below) engine room after 1925 showing all Council along with other Hawke’s six generating units in place with three cylinder engines in the foreground. Bay local authorities looked to the was 2.3 pence per government to build a hydro-electric kWh (about $1/kWh scheme at Waikaremoana. Although in today’s terms) the government had previously with consumers taken full control of hydro-electric paying threepence development, restrictive overseas to ninepence/kWh borrowing policies, priority for railway ($1.47 to $4.40). development and World War 1 all The Hawke’s Bay conspired to delay the opening of the Electric Power Board first major power stations was constituted until the 1920s. In the meantime, local in 1924 as part bodies wanting electricity supply had of implementing to provide their own. The Hastings central government Borough had gas reticulation from policy to provide 1887 and an electricity supply was rural areas with investigated from 1906. an electric power supply. In 1927 the the earthquake until the Redclyffe The power station opened in 1912 board started supplying much cheaper substation was fully repaired. Until after hydro-electric dam sites on the electricity to Hastings from the new the 1940s, and probably beyond, the Tuki Tuki and Ngaruroro rivers, and a government-operated Mangahao Hastings power station served as a gas-powered generating plant had all hydro-electric station in the Tararua standby supply during national power been considered as alternatives. The Ranges near Shannon. This supply shortages. The station was gradually station was powered by two Mirrlees was often overloaded requiring the dismantled with the last 320 kW unit diesel engine powered generators with power station to remain on standby finally taken out of service in 1964. The a total power output of 200kW. There during periods of electricity shortage, Hawke’s Bay Power Board continued to were 29 consumers. Under the floor of alleviated to some extent when the first operate its mechanical and electrical the building there was a water reservoir Waikaremoana hydroelectric power workshop in the building until 1988 with two large pumps supplying the station opened at Tuai in 1929. and the electricity control room borough. Electricity was also supplied until about 1990. The building also to Havelock North, but the supply Service post-1931 quake continued to be used as part of the proved restricted and unreliable When the Hawke’s Bay earthquake Hastings water supply system until the leading the Havelock North Town struck in February 1931, the Redclyffe 1980s. Board to develop its own hydro-electric substation near Taradale was badly Commercial redevelopment of scheme on the Maraetotara Falls, which damaged and unable to supply the building in 2015 has included opened in 1922. electricity. The Hastings power station installation of a window in the floor at had some damage but was still able the front of the building so the original DC to AC to operate and was used to maintain water reservoir can be viewed below Power was initially supplied via direct water pressure for firefighting. Even the floor. The Wallace Development current. Increasing demand required after the water main from Havelock Company was responsible for the extra generating plant including two North was brought down with the restoration and redevelopment of alternating current generators together Ngaruroro bridge collapse in an this building, which had no heritage with extensions to the building. By aftershock, it was still possible to protection either nationally or locally 1925 there were six generating units supply water from the wells near the and could easily have faced demolition in operation with a total output of power station building. without the owner’s vision and 1,087kW, being 567 kW DC and 520 The power station continued to awareness of the building’s value. kW AC. Production cost of electricity supply electricity for some time after Contact Denis for a more detailed version. 6 7 OCULUS

Pam Bain at one of her happy places, surrounded by water and heritage in Venice. INTRODUCING Pam Bain Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga

Unveiling ceremony for the Blue Plaque on the Timaru Landing Service building, erected in 1870 along Director Regional Services the original shoreline of Timaru harbour. Pam Bain still can’t believe her luck. Since 2018 – when she landed More Timaru plaques on way her new role as Director Regional The South Canterbury Nigel Bowen. The Services with Heritage New Zealand Historical Society (an building is owned by Pouhere Taonga – Pam has been associate member of the Timaru Civic Trust, able to be innovative and creative HPA) and the Timaru who saved it from in working with others to protect Civic Trust have joined demolition in the late heritage and tell important heritage forces to roll out the 1980s and earthquake stories. Blue Plaques scheme in strengthened it and “The Regional Services team is all South Canterbury. refurbished it into a about engagement, internally and In a joint funding successful commercial externally, “ she says. initiative, they have had development, now “Whether it is the legal team’s the initial batch of the thriving and fully efforts for heritage protection, the first five Blue Plaques tenanted. One of outreach and media staff involved made, with further those tenants is in celebrating heritage stories or funding available to Timaru Mayor Nigel Tohu Whenua (a joint programme do another 10 to 15 Bowen who, with his with Heritage New Zealand, DOC, plaques in the South partner Jane, runs two Ministry for Business, Innovation and Canterbury region bar and restaurant Employment and Ministry for Arts, over the next couple of facilities and a small Culture and Heritage) working with years. convention centre communities to provide great visitor The first of the five venue. experiences at heritage places, we new plaques – erected The other four can do this so much better with on the Landing Service plaques, which will others involved.” building (HNZPT Cat be unveiled in the She is excited to work with 1), was unveiled on 25 coming months, are communities to support heritage July by Timaru Mayor for: protection and celebrate heritage • the former stories. Customhouse building “This offers an opportunity to (HNZPT Category 1) introduce new people to the • Chalmers Church importance of heritage. (HNZPT Cat 2) “For example, in 2018, Heritage New • St Mary’s Church Zealand was involved in a Suffrage (HNZPT Cat 1) and 125 community art project with • the magnificent artist Janet de Wagt and Creative Sacred Heart Basilica New Zealand which was all about (HNZPT Cat 1) by linking the suffrage story to heritage Francis Petre (architect places, people and communities. of Christchurch’s “We are increasingly focusing Cathedral of the on working with others to make Blessed Sacrament). heritage accessible and interesting to a wider audience so that they also relate to the stories and places we

Sacred Heart Basilica, Timaru, 2017. Photo: Ulrich Lange. https://commons. are passionate about.” wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sacred_Heart_Basilica,_Timaru_(north_side).jpg