Heritage Quarterly Winter 2020

WINTER 2020

AUCKLAND

Te Puketāpapatanga ā Hape, looking southwest. (CREDIT: HERITAGE NEW ZEALAND POUHERE TAONGA)

Ōtuataua Stonefields confirmed as Category 1 historic place

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga confirmed in late February the outcome of the review of the Ōtuataua Stonefields, Auckland, as a Category 1 historic place and extending the boundaries of the land recognised on the New Zealand Heritage List/ Rārangi Kōrero.

Under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act, Ōtuataua Stonefields is now recognised as a place of special or outstanding heritage significance on New Zealand’s national list of cultural and historic heritage.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga received an unprecedented number of submissions from the public – over 1500 in total.

“There was overwhelming support to recognise the Ōtuataua Stonefields as a Category 1 historic place,” says Heritage CONTINUED OVER >

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New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Chief Executive Andrew Coleman.

Contents 1

AUCKLAND

Ōtuataua Stonefields confirmed as Category 1 historic place

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CONTENTS

“A range of opinions were expressed regarding the extension of the boundaries of the listed land – both for and against. Generally, though, the feedback in the submissions reflected strong awareness of the outstanding heritage significance of this place and the need to recognise these values accordingly.”

12 WHANGANUI

Significant new steps to preserve Whanganui heritage

13 FUNDING

3 EDITORIAL

Incentive fund applications sought for 2020 round

Heritage New Zealand Chief Executive Andrew Coleman

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FEATURE INTERVIEW

Caroline Toplis: Tohu Whenua telling defining stories of Aotearoa

16/17 NORTHLAND

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WEST COAST

Tohu Whenua Hokitika launch

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MĀORI HERITAGE

Knowledge of Matariki grows each year

Dog’s body reflects taxing times for the Hokianga

It may be gone, but never forgotten

19 AUCKLAND

Photographers focus on snapshots in time at Ruatuna

Heritage creativity in lockdown

20 CANTERBURY

10/11 WELLINGTON

Progress at Christchurch's cathedral

18 CANTERBURY

8/9 NORTHLAND

14/15 CANTERBURY

Digital tours great way to tap into rich heritage

Spirits rise with saving of historic Basin grandstand

Please note that due to the uncertainty posed by COVID-19, some information in the stories, and accessibility to places, may have changed from the time of writing to the date of publication. For the latest information, please visit heritage.org.nz.

Editor: Jamie Douglas. Designer: Mui Leng Goh. Heritage Quarterly is printed with mineral oil-free, soy-based vegetable inks on Sumo paper. This paper is Forestry Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified, manufactured from pulp from responsible sources under the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. Please recycle.

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Members of Heritage New Zealand can visit its properties for free, visit www.heritage.org.nz 2

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Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga undertook further research of the Ōtuataua Stonefields listing following requests from members of the public. On the basis of that work it was proposed that the listing be changed from Category 2 to Category 1, and the boundary of the listed land extended.

“This review was confirmed by the Board of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and the Māori Heritage Council in line with processes under our Act,” says Andrew.

“The level of quality and the depth of research our staff carried out in the listing review report has been supported by the majority of submissions.”

The listing review under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act allowed for assessment under a wider range of criteria than was used for the 1991 original listing assessment under previous legislation. The revised assessment included consideration of spiritual, cultural and traditional significance as well as historical, archaeological and other values – all of which added to the depth of knowledge and the significance of the area.

Under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act, the purpose of listing is to inform the public about historic places, historic areas, wāhi tūpuna, wāhi tapu and wāhi tapu areas, notify owners about the significance of their heritage place and be a source of information about heritage places for the purposes of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).

Protection for these places comes under the RMA through heritage places being scheduled on council district plans. The review of the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero listing will not alter the status of the Special Housing Area or any existing resource consents. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga had no legal mandate to be involved in discussions around the plan change that enabled land to be earmarked as a Special Housing Area; nor did it have a statutory role at the resource consent stage of the process for the residential development proposal.

EDITORIAL

ANDREW COLEMAN

History tells us that often in times of crisis the stories and learnings of heritage become more important. Even with global pandemics there is a history with the Spanish influenza of 1918 to 1920, the 1957 H2N2 influenza virus, the 1968 H3N2 influenza virus, the H1N1 (swine influenza) first identified in 1970 and the 2009 SARS influenza pandemic. All of these had responses to them and they resulted in learnings and developments that included targeted research, vaccines, machinery such as ventilators, cell culture and antigenic composition learnings. Global and regional organisations developed and shared information and coordinated responses. We have learnt from history.

the early agriculture and gardening approach of Māori, the market place being created and the transition to pastoral and dairy farming.

You can see these things develop in a virtual way, you can access them from anywhere, and the important and significant stories of the Ōtuataua Stonefields become more accessible and, importantly, harder to ignore because people will have the sense that they are real, as indeed they are.

You can read about the Tohu Whenua programme, its launch into the Hokitika township, and the story being told by the programme manager, Caroline Toplis. Imagine if there was a visual ‘walking tour’ of the four Tohu Whenua sites of Te Tai Poutini West Coast where you can experience them by seeing them, understanding their relationships and what they mean to communities because someone narrates the stories and brings them to life.

Delivering heritage business in an international pandemic environment

Heritage does not have a direct role in pandemic management, but it has an important role in allowing people to acknowledge the past and in establishing new norms for heritage recognition, interpretation, visitation, experiences and the realisation of the opportunities ahead.

Heritage is an important aspect of any future and a focus must be maintained to ensure this is realised.

History tells us that often in times of crisis the stories and learnings of heritage become more important.

Today we know that it is difficult, and in the past weeks through lockdown it has been impossible, for any of us other than the local community, to visit Ruatuna in the Far North.

Heritage Quarterly describes very well the collection through imagery and written stories, but the opportunity is there for this to be delivered in a technical way that we have not experienced to date.

Heritage Quarterly continues to deliver many fantastic stories of the challenges and opportunities for heritage. This edition is no different. One thing that is different is managing these heritage challenges and opportunities in an international pandemic environment.

In the future you will see virtual heritage visit opportunities, collective heritage advocacy and interest, heritage practitioners joining together to tell stories of the past and a modern approach to heritage being delivered.

Each of the stories here have an opportunity to be enhanced in the future. We do not often think in these terms. We enjoy this publication, we appreciate the stories and we know we can rely on this in the future.

The stories captured in this Heritage Quarterly issue all have a role to play in the opportunity we all have to create and deliver to a ‘new’ heritage approach.

But the future of heritage has an opportunity to be delivered and appreciated in a different way. Our organisation has continued to deliver our core functions in crisis, but we have also taken the time to think about a reset of heritage for the future. It is not a concern that a crisis provides this space, rather it is an opportunity, and on behalf of you all we intend to seek these out and deliver them.

COVID-19 has dramatically changed New Zealand and the world. The impacts of the virus have been devastating, life challenging and life changing.

Heritage has not been immune to COVID-19.

Heritage and museum properties and associated businesses have closed and, where possible, staff have been set up to work from home. Changes have had to be made to ensure that, where it can, heritage business continues to operate. There has been and remains a very uncertain future, but if we ended here the outlook for heritage would be quite bleak so we are not going to do that.

Of course you can continue to read about them and learn more about the important people who work on heritage matters. This will always remain important. Ōtuataua Stonefields is indeed a very special and significant heritage landscape. The stories of its significance are very well told here, but imagine if there was a virtual reality capture of what we can read about. Images of the arrival of waka, the formation of Māori communities,

It is time for heritage. n

ANDREW COLEMAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE

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FEATURE INTERVIEW

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Tohu Whenua telling defining stories of Aotearoa Caroline Toplis has an enviable job as head of the Tohu Whenua heritage visitor programme. It’s a very busy role, but very rewarding, working in partnership with other key agencies to identify and tell the stories of special places in Aotearoa. She talks with Jamie Douglas.

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Q:

Tell me about your role and when you joined Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.

I am the Programme Manager Kaiwhakahaere Hotaka for Tohu Whenua. I started this role a year ago, returning to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga after 16 years.

After graduating, I began my working life as a volunteer in the Christchurch office of the then Historic Places Trust and went on to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage where I worked on major memorial projects. Since leaving that role I have worked in the Prime

Minister’s Office, the New Zealand High Commission in London and most recently in the Public Affairs team at the United States Embassy in Wellington.

After a few adventures, I am enjoying being back in heritage in what is a very varied role.

I am the sole staff member for Tohu Whenua so my work covers strategic and operational planning, marketing and communications, events and lots of relationship management.

One of my favourite things is getting out and about around New Zealand visiting Tohu Whenua places and meeting the people flying our flag in their communities.

Q:

What is Tohu Whenua all about?

Tohu Whenua is a heritage visitor programme that showcases places that tell defining stories of Aotearoa. They offer visitors

1. Tohu Whenua programme manager, Caroline Toplis, at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

(CREDIT: TOHU WHENUA)

2. Caroline taking in the sights of Venice, Italy.

(CREDIT: IMAGE SUPPLIED)

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an exceptional experience and a real sense of connection with our heritage.

Tohu Whenua is a partnership between Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT), the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai and Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, so while I am based at HNZPT I work with talented specialist staff across all three agencies. I am also supported by a fantastic social media manager, Claudia Babirat. You can check out her super engaging work by following Tohu Whenua online.

Q:

How many regions are under the Tohu Whenua umbrella?

Tohu Whenua is quite a young programme and so far our network covers three regions – Northland, Otago and the West Coast. Our sites are a combination of places managed by government agencies (including several HNZPT properties), trusts and private owners, and all have fascinating stories to tell. The programme gives the owners of those stories a platform to share them and connect with other places of significance in their region and beyond.

Our goal is to roll Tohu Whenua out all around New Zealand. We will be announcing our next region soon as well as adding new sites in our existing regions – so watch this space!

Q:

How important is Tohu Whenua?

There are two key ways Tohu Whenua benefits our people and communities.

The first is access. Tohu Whenua is a one-stop shop for heritage in a region. It makes heritage accessible and exploring a region a little bit easier. Visitors get outstanding experiences that help them learn more about our history and our unique culture. For Kiwis, it helps to develop a sense of national identity too. With the introduction of teaching New Zealand history in schools and kura, I hope children will be inspired to seek out their local heritage places, to see where the stories they are hearing about in school actually happened.

Tohu Whenua is the perfect tool for that.

Secondly, Tohu Whenua is important for regional development. It brings more visitors into a region, supporting local economies through jobs, new businesses and income. It also boosts community pride and well-being, and enhances people’s spiritual connection to their whenua and whakapapa.

Q:

Do you have a favourite Tohu Whenua place?

All of them! That’s a hard question when Tohu Whenua is a collection of the best!

Our places span social, economic, cultural, religious and industrial history, first encounters, farming, mining, electricity, trains, boats, lighthouses … there is something for everyone. Who can choose?

See them all!

And perhaps my favourite place is the next one to launch … who knows!

And what about a heritage place more widely?

Another hard question! I have been lucky to have travelled overseas and visited a lot of beautiful, fascinating, important heritage places. I loved the Tower of London, the Colosseum, the Palace of Versailles, the birthplace of the Chinese Communist Party, Venice, the US National Archives … it goes on. One place I found especially moving and very unpretentious is the spot on Rarotonga’s Ngatangiia Harbour where it is believed the seven waka set sail for Aotearoa. Heritage comes in all shapes and sizes and every place has its own wairua and a cracking story. So, if you like heritage, it’s hard to choose just one.

I’m sure more of my favourite New Zealand heritage places will be Tohu Whenua as time goes so I’ll keep not picking a local one for the meantime!

Q:

Why should people care about Tohu Whenua and heritage in general?

Heritage brings history to life.

It makes everything more interesting, it answers all the questions about who we are and how we got here. Heritage places show us what happened, where it happened and they help us understand the events, people and innovations that shaped us. You can read about great deeds and feats of history in a book, but you get so much more of an experience if you can learn on the ground and explore the story for yourself.

Tohu Whenua is your ticket to the best stories around, some of the most beautiful views and buildings and towns. Follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/TohuWhenua) and Instagram (instagram.com/tohuwhenua), visit our website (tohuwhenua.nz), but most of all get out there and experience Tohu Whenua on your doorstep and you will see for yourself why heritage matters. n

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WEST COAST

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Tohu Whenua Hokitika launch Hokitika Port, Commercial and Government Centre’s key role in drawing people in search of Te Tai Poutini West Coast’s natural taonga, pounamu and gold was recognised when it was added as a Tohu Whenua site recently.

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has always been about treasure – Ngāi Tahu fought many battles for pounamu there and, during the gold rushes of 1864 to 1867, people came in search of fortune. It quickly became the most valued port of its time and the town was established as the Goldfields Capital, the commercial and administrative centre for the West Coast.

Te Tai Poutini West Coast joined Northland and Otago as a Tohu Whenua region in 2018, with recognition given then to Brunner Mine, Denniston Mine and the town of Reefton, all important places in West Coast and New Zealand mining and industrial history. Hokitika Port, Commercial and Government Centre is the fourth West Coast site to be welcomed into the programme, with more in the pipeline. More regions are in the planning stage too, with a goal to recognise defining stories all over the country.

The launch was celebrated with a ceremony attended by around 130 people that included rūnanga chairs Paul Madgwick (Kāti Māhaki ki Makaawhio) and Francois Tumahai (Ngāti Waewae), Westland Mayor Bruce Smith and councillors, representatives of the heritage community including Heritage West Coast’s David Stapleton and Heritage Hokitika Chair David Verrall (who was dressed as Hokitika local and New Zealand’s longest serving premier, Richard John Seddon), local school children who performed haka waiata, and the public. Speakers, including Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Chief Executive and Tohu Whenua Governance Group Chair, Andrew Coleman, highlighted the significance of the port and the town that grew up rapidly around it, and unveiled the wooden post that signifies a Tohu Whenua.

A wilderness town nestled between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea, Hokitika

The post is located on the Tancred Street Viewing Platform on Gibson Quay and looks

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1. Hokitika Port, Commercial and Government Centre. (CREDIT: NICOLE TAI PHOTOGRAPHY) 2. Mark Davies (DOC), Francois Tumahai, Andrew Coleman and Bruce Smith at the launch.

(CREDIT: NICOLE TAI PHOTOGRAPHY)

one way out to the moving river mouth and the other to the town where pounamu is still revered, carved, sought and traded. Buildings and monuments are reminders of the bustling port and governing town that was the setting for Eleanor Catton’s Man Booker Prize winning gold rush novel, The Luminaries.

Tohu Whenua links places that are rich in historical or cultural significance through a series of regional trails. They are places that tell powerful stories of events and people that made New Zealand and New Zealanders who we are today, and memorable visitor experiences that connect Kiwis and overseas visitors alike to our heritage.

Tohu Whenua (tohuwhenua.nz) is a partnership between Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai and Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. n

Writer: Caroline Toplis

MĀORI HERITAGE

Knowledge of Matariki grows each year Matariki, which signals the beginning of a new year for Māori, rises between 13 to 20 July this year.

Recognition of Matariki and its meaning has grown significantly since wider public celebrations were revived in 2000 after a hiatus of more than 50 years and more research and resources have become available.

Celebrating and sharing Matariki and Māori knowledge of astronomy is a passion for Professor, Dr Rangi Matamua (Tūhoe), based in the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Waikato. Dr Matamua is the author of Matariki: The Star of the Year, and travels nationally and internationally sharing his research on how Māori studied and applied their

knowledge of astronomy and star lore. One of the boards he currently sits on is the Society for Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions.

In his book Dr Matamua explains Te Iwa o Matariki (The nine stars of Matariki) that hold environmental significance from a Māori world view. Dr Matamua also counters the popular view that there are only seven stars. The book contains a wealth of information and research passed on to Dr Matamua by his grandfather in the mid-1990s. His grandfather had kept manuscripts containing great knowledge of Matariki from his ancestors.

In a Te Ahi Kaa interview on Radio New Zealand, Dr Matamua said: “I had to research the record as much as I could. I went around the country interviewing anyone I could find who could talk to me about their idea of Matariki from the bottom of the south to the top of the north.

“I do not know everything there is to know about Matariki. The kōrero that I have is the kōrero that I have. But I think more often than not we have similarities rather than differences.”

The maramataka Māori (Māori lunar calendar) which aligns to the phases of the moon is used to predict when Te Iwa o Matariki rises each year. Unlike the Gregorian calendar the maramataka Māori is made up of 12 months each with 29.5 days, making for a 354-day year compared to 365.

There are nine stars in Matariki, in line with the Greek tradition of the constellation. The mother of the stars is Matariki, with the other stars reflective of and symbolising the carrying of the dead, the food that grows in the ground, above our heads such as birds and fruit, fresh and salt water, the rain and the winds, and to send wishes to.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga celebrates Matariki – and all that Māori custom and tradition encompasses – in the guiding document Tapuwae that has been prepared by the Māori Heritage Council.

Tapuwae is available to download at heritage.org.nz/resources/tapuwae n

Writer: Jamie Douglas (Above) Dr Rangi Matamua is a leading expert on Matariki and Māori astronomy.

(CREDIT: IMAGE SUPPLIED)

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NORTHLAND

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Photographers focus on snapshots in time at Ruatuna Collections photographers Stephen Davies and Topaz Johnson are photographing thousands of collection items at Ruatuna in Northland. Ruatuna was the family home of former Prime Minister Gordon Coates and is cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Here Stephen and Topaz talk with John O’Hare about their unusual assignment.

Q:

What work are you doing at Ruatuna?

Stephen: We are currently photographing the entire collection at Ruatuna. Various objects are stored at the property, many of which are personal belongings of the Coates family, and some of which date back generations.

It’s quite rare to have this range and volume of collection items with this level of family provenance – particularly in New Zealand.

Interestingly, one place with a similar collection is Totara House, part of The Kauri Museum down the road, so Matakohe is particularly blessed to have these kinds of collections.

Q:

What does collection photography involve?

Stephen: Collection photography involves photographing objects, which helps convey

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what the object is. We identify the object from accession records, and take a photograph.

Some objects will have several pictures taken from different angles depending on their rarity and importance. The catalogue record includes a written description of each object.

The goal is to have a visual record as well as the written record for each object.

Topaz: There are an estimated 6000 objects in the collection at least, though there are probably more. Each accession number represents one object, though with a set of knives, for example, there would be more than one object represented by that number.

Q:

What kind of training do you need to do this work?

Stephen: I have a background in Fine Arts, which included photography. I’ve worked at the Auckland Museum, the Invercargill Public Art Gallery and I have a background in the design industry too. So having a good grounding in photography is important, and it is a very hands-on role. I think knowledge

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of object-handling skills within the museum context is also important.

Topaz: I have a background in arts, photography and design, and also have my own photography studio.

Q:

What are some of the challenges associated with photographing this particular collection?

Stephen: The sheer quantity of objects, which can be a bit daunting at times. We work progressively through the house, take a photo of the object and then return it to its original location.

Topaz: Some objects have been found in unusual places – and sometimes it’s a bit hard to work out why they are there. Besides the sheer number of objects we’re dealing with it’s also an incredibly diverse collection.

They range from small items to large pieces of furniture – all in situ. Some are packed in drawers and cupboards, and accessing them can be a challenge – objects sitting in the back of a packed room, for example.

Stephen: Sometimes there can be up to 50 items in a drawer. We photograph the items in situ, and then photograph each item individually; then replace things as they were.

It’s challenging in many ways.

Q:

What does it feel like engaging with these objects in this way?

Stephen: It feels like you’re going through

somebody’s stuff – which you are. I find myself thinking about my own stuff, and what people in the future might think going through that. Every item has a story to tell.

It’s about making connections to objects and finding a story.

4 1. Stephen Davies and Topaz Johnson are enjoying the task of photographing collection items at Ruatuna. (CREDIT: HERITAGE NEW ZEALAND POUHERE TAONGA)

Topaz: You realise that the objects represent people’s lives, and that it’s important to treat them with the respect they deserve.

2, 3 & 4. A small sample of the collection items from Ruatuna, including cutlery, a drawer with a variety of objects and a bugle.

Q:

(CREDIT: HERITAGE NEW ZEALAND POUHERE TAONGA)

Do you have personal memories and connections to Ruatuna?

Topaz: I was born and raised in Matakohe, and spent a lot of time growing up at the Matakohe Museum where my mother was the Deputy Registrar for the museum.

Ruatuna was definitely a part of our lives growing up.

Q:

What are some of the collection items that you’ve found to be most interesting?

Stephen: All sorts of things in the collection are quirky – a Norwegian booklet from 1932, for example, whose front cover design is fantastic. There is an incredible range of bits and pieces – things like perfume bottles, and even personal items like the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (now Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga) membership card belonging to Joy Aicken, the last Coates family member who lived at Ruatuna.

Topaz: One object we photographed was a bugle that had obviously seen some damage

in action. It’s a little bit battered and is a reminder of the military career of Gordon Coates, who served in Europe during World War I, and his brother Edward, who sadly died during that war.

Q:

Are there any collection items that have surprised you in any way?

Topaz: There are a surprising number of bed pans – all of them different.

Q:

Why is photographing collection items so important?

Stephen: Ruatuna currently doesn’t have a lot of visitors. By photographing its collection the objects and their stories can hopefully become more widely known.

Topaz: Ruatuna represents a lot of angles in history – the history of women in the Kaipara, for example, the Gordon Coates story and many others. A lot of history and stories from the area originate from this house in some way, which reinforces the importance of recording every object. n 4

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WELLINGTON

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Spirits rise with saving of historic Basin grandstand Over a year ago heritage supporters feared the worst with the possibility that the historic Museum Stand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington could be demolished because it was deemed too costly to earthquake strengthen.

Even the continued use of the Basin Reserve as a test cricket ground, the oldest test match facility in New Zealand, was being

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called into question by New Zealand Cricket authorities unless significant steps were taken to modernise venue facilities in keeping with developments at other test cricket grounds around the country.

That all changed, with huge relief, with a decision by the Wellington City Council to strengthen and upgrade the 1925 grandstand which sits adjacent to the RA Vance Members Stand. There was great joy and excitement when it reopened in time for the 2020 summer test match against India.

The Basin Reserve is regarded by many as the jewel in Wellington's sporting crown. Lovers of the Basin have attested to that for a long time. No one could be more emphatic about that than Don Neely. He can speak with considerable authority, having played a lot of his earlier club cricket and Plunket Shield matches at the Basin. He is our leading New Zealand cricket historian and a prolific author on the history of the Basin and tests

played there. He has also been the Chairman of New Zealand Cricket Selectors and Past President of New Zealand and Wellington Cricket.

Don also played a key role in the nomination and listing of the Basin Reserve as a Historic Area in 1990, ensuring the historic values of the Basin Reserve buildings and monuments were recognised. He says the capital city can be very proud of the Basin. “The citizens of Wellington and visitors to our city have almost unlimited access to the Basin.

Because of its historic public reserve status, they are entitled to enjoy the benefits of the reserve. You cannot access any other test cricket ground in this way anywhere else in the world. These grounds are closed to the public except on playing days.�

Those words are also echoed by well-known cricket commentators Bryan Waddle and Jeremy Coney, a former Wellington and New Zealand test cricket captain, who have

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frequently praised its historic status and its place as one of the best test cricket grounds in the world.

Over recent years a lot has happened at the Basin to improve its facilities and to restore key elements of its history. Several years ago the Wakefield Fountain was brought back inside the ground by Wellington City Council and it stands as a very strong visual feature on the eastern bank. The Dempster and Reid gates at the north and south entrances to the Basin were repaired and restored. These gates were named after famous New Zealand cricketers, Stewie Dempster and John Reid. The Caretaker’s Cottage and Groundsman’s Shed were restored and upgraded, the scoreboards were improved – including the construction of a replay scoreboard named the Don Neely Scoreboard – and ground training facilities for players were upgraded.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga staff were involved in the consultation and approval

processes for all these works at the Basin.

And the biggie was the strengthening of the historic Museum Stand on the western side of the Basin Reserve. This job cost in excess of $9 million. It has not only restored seating for the general public, it has also become the new home for the offices of Wellington Cricket and will have facilities for other adaptive reuses. The New Zealand Cricket Museum is also returning to the restored grandstand.

During the recent New Zealand-India cricket test match Wellington test cricketer, Ewan Chatfield, known as the ‘Naenae Express’, was honoured with the refurbished Players’ Lounge being named after him for his outstanding services to first-class cricket. Cricket followers will remember Chatfield’s bowling exploits on the Basin in test matches in tandem with fellow fast bowler, Sir Richard Hadlee.

The Basin Reserve for many decades has become the green heart of Wellington city, not just for cricket at local, national and

international levels, but for many other sports such as rugby and football, cycling, athletics, and for parades, military and musical events.

This is a place where assembly has been a public right. n

Writer: David Watt

1. The refurbished Museum Stand at the Basin Reserve, again open to the public.

2. Don Neely outside the Museum Stand before conservation work began.

3. Spectators on the bank at the Basin Reserve, with the Wakefield Fountain in the background.

(CREDIT: HERITAGE NEW ZEALAND POUHERE TAONGA – ALL PHOTOS)

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WHANGANUI

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Significant new steps to preserve Whanganui heritage Whanganui District Council has taken significant strides to encourage owners to restore their heritage buildings, through a heritage façade fund and heritage officer working with owners to reinvigorate the predominantly historic town centre.

A new charitable trust, the Whanganui Heritage Restoration Trust, has also been established to restore heritage buildings exclusively in the town centre and has just purchased the former Native Land Court and Aotea Māori Land Board building.

Leading the charge is Whanganui District Councillor and Trust Chair Helen Craig, who is also a member of the Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust, the regional organisation promoting heritage. Fellow Trustees are lawyer Richard Austin, investment advisor Hamish Mackay, accountant Lyndsay Tait and architect Elinor McDouall.

The Heritage Restoration Trust is in the process of formal registration as a charitable trust, but when the Native Land Court building came up for sale, they didn't hesitate to act quickly.

“We have seen our heritage buildings deteriorate over time and we want to support the actions of council, which are focused on

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town centre regeneration through making the most of Whanganui’s status as a leading heritage centre in New Zealand,” says Helen.

“It’s economically challenging to undertake heritage restoration at the best of times, let alone a world in pandemic mode, but due to age and earthquake strengthening legislation our heritage buildings are at increasing risk.

We have long-term plans to bring life back into heritage buildings, which can cement our heritage reputation and beautiful town centre.”

The Native Land Court Building is listed Category 1 by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and is in the Whanganui Old Town Conservation Zone on the council’s district plan. It is recorded as a rare and unique example of a purpose-built Native Land Court building in New Zealand.

The Native Land Court building was designed

by John Campbell, the Government Architect of the day. Design work was proceeding during World War I but, owing to a shortage

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of materials and other issues, construction was delayed and it was not built until 1922.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga had previously strongly opposed applications by a former owner to demolish the building.

At the subsequent hearings Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Central Region Area Manager and architect, Alison Dangerfield, argued that the community had recognised the value of the building in the district plan two decades earlier. When other buildings were being kept elsewhere in the city, Whanganui District Council was prepared to include the Native Land Court building in its Old Town Conservation Zone, showing a wide understanding of its heritage value.

“Our task now is to pursue funding to undertake restoration of the building,” says Helen.

“There are a wide range of potential future uses; it could be for offices, a gallery, library or museum. The overriding goal is to ensure the building retains its historic integrity and accessibility to the public.” n

Writer: David Watt

1. The former Native Land Court and Aotea Māori Land Board building. (CREDIT: HERITAGE NEW ZEALAND POUHERE TAONGA)

2. Helen Craig. (CREDIT: IMAGE SUPPLIED)

FUNDING

Incentive fund applications sought for 2020 round Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga opened its 2020 funding round in May and private owners of listed heritage properties around the country have until 26 June to make applications to the fund.

The National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund, administered by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, provides financial incentives to encourage the conservation of privately owned heritage places recognised on the New Zealand Heritage List/ Rārangi Kōrero.

In addition to Category 1 listed properties in private ownership the policy for funding support also includes wāhi tūpuna, wāhi tapu and wāhi tapu areas, National Historic Landmarks sites, and Category 2 listed places as eligible categories.

Priority is given to heritage of national significance which needs conservation work and heritage places where such work could be improved through extra funding. While all eligible projects are considered by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, the Board’s priorities for funding for the 2020 round are: •

Conservation of sites of significance to Māori

• Conservation and preservation of sites that support regional economic development

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Conservation work to increase the resilience of heritage places against the impact of climate change, including maintenance and strengthening against rising sea levels, storm events, to provide fire protection for properties in drought- prone areas, damp proofing of buildings, flood protection, and stabilisation work relating to land and archaeological sites.

Last year, the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Board agreed to incentive fund grants to private owners of heritage listed properties with a total value of well in excess of $800,000.

The National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund has been in operation since 2004, and since that time a very significant number of private heritage property owners have received funding support for conservation projects. This has enabled some critical conservation work to be done not only on large heritage buildings, but smaller properties and archaeological sites.

The fund will not pay more than 50% of the cost of conservation work for a specific

project, and individual grants will not normally be greater than $100,000.

The fund provides support for stabilisation, repair or restoration relating to historic buildings or structures such as: repairs to masonry, joinery, plaster or glazing, earthquake strengthening or fire protection; conservation work relating to land or archaeological sites; for site stabilisation, vegetation management or fencing; for professional services such as research, condition reports, conservation plans, conservation work specifications, management plans, risk management plans or supervision of work.

The National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund is an annual round of funding. Private owners of heritage places should go to the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga website (heritage.org.nz) for more information on the 2020 round.

Contact should be made with staff in the nearest Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga regional office for assistance on criteria and preparing the application forms for funding, including completing a checklist of support information, quotations for proposed work and other supporting documents. n

Writer: David Watt

(ABOVE) Forest Gate Station in Central Hawke's Bay, a grant recipient in 2019.

(CREDIT: JAMES HOLDEN)

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CANTERBURY

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Progress at Christchurch's cathedral Stabilisation work on Christ Church Cathedral is poised to begin. This first phase will reduce hazards and make the cathedral a safer worksite.

Once this physical work begins, visitors to the square will start to see changes to the building. Workers will install steel frames and scaffolding to secure the cathedral.

The Reinstatement Project team plans to begin by creating two working entrances, through the west end and from the south transept.

More recent additions like the 1960s vestries and 1990s visitor centre will be removed to

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give safer and faster access to stabilise the older sections of the cathedral. A focus will be on retrieving heritage items and weatherproofing the building. In addition to the stabilising steel structures, the pigeons and vermin who have been living in the building will be removed, and the cathedral basement that has been flooded since 2011 will be drained.

This decontamination work and installation of stabilising frames that make up this vital preparatory stage of the overall reinstatement is predicted to take about 18-24 months.

Keith Paterson, Project Director for the Reinstatement Project, has been on the job since November 2018. After 32 years working at engineering consultancy Beca, Keith was looking for a fresh challenge.

“This project has a lot of complexity,” says Keith. “It’s like a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Christchurch needs this done and I wanted to help and get it done well.”

A major part of his role has been forming a multidisciplinary team of engineers, architects, builders, heritage, communication and consent experts.

“All the skills and expertise for this project are available in Christchurch. We have the benefit of the years of experience gained on other heritage projects in Christchurch and I have great confidence in the team working on the project.”

To reach the point of being able to start on-site has required a remarkable amount of collaboration. As the team cannot physically investigate the building it has had to identify solutions, work through methodologies and reach mutual agreement on each step. The primary consideration of the team is worker safety, given the damaged state of the building. This could not have been achieved without the contractor being treated as an equal within the design team, providing their work method statements and the creation of a joint, dimensionally accurate, 3D model.

The electronic model, utilising Building information Modelling (BIM) technology, was created from drone footage, laser scanning and high-resolution photography.

“This model and the approach Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd has taken has

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enabled our engineer and contractor to agree not only what needs to be done, but also how best to do it, before the design is fully complete and before entering into a formal construction contract,” says Keith.

“As a team we are convinced this is the most efficient way to progress design and construction.”

Heritage consultant, Jenny May, has also been an integral part of the planning process. As a long-time heritage consultant for Christ Church Cathedral, Jenny has a wealth of knowledge about the building. At every stage she, along with conservation architect Jeremy Salmond, have been consulted on what would be best from a heritage perspective.

When the roof of the west porch and west end were recently cleared, the stonemason Mark Whyte and Jenny went through the fallen stone carefully and recovered much of the glass from the Rose Window. On completion of this work she advised that netting and plaster slurry be placed over the rubble stone under the Rose Window to prevent water ingress between the stone sections.

As sections of the cathedral are deconstructed the location of the stone will be identified, categorised and stored for reuse. Most of the stained glass windows have been retrieved.

The remaining in situ stained glass windows and organ will be retrieved once the building is safe to enter.

Once the stabilisation project is completed, strengthening to 100% of New Building Standard will begin. This will be achieved by adding base isolators under the existing foundations and adding strength to the walls.

The wall strengthening will include additional concrete walls, or grouting to the existing rubble walls. The aspiration is to strengthen the building with as little visual intervention as possible. The cathedral, once work is completed, will look much as it always has.

1. Two pieces of stained glass depicting an angel’s head from the Rose Window. (CREDIT: JENNY MAY) 2. Workers at the west end of the cathedral. Due to the cathedral’s instability work must be done from a small crane so that workers are protected.

(CREDIT: JENNY MAY)

3. The cataloguing of stone from Christ Church Cathedral is meticulous. (CREDIT: JENNY MAY) 4. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales became the project’s Royal Patron in November last year. Keith Paterson explains the project to him.

(CREDIT: CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL REINSTATEMENT LTD)

5. Jenny May speaks with His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. (CREDIT: CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL REINSTATEMENT LTD)

Keith is excited about the outcome.

“Our ambition is a world class outcome, from a heritage, construction and safety perspective, that everyone can be very proud of.”

Writer: Rosemary Baird n

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NORTHLAND

Dog’s body reflects taxing times for the Hokianga The discovery of a well-preserved dog under the former Wesleyan church at Rāwene has highlighted a time when tensions between Māori in the Hokianga and the Crown came within a whisker of turning violent.

The discovery was made recently when conservation work was undertaken on the building.

“The dog – which had long since passed away – reflects the dry conditions underneath the church on the hill-top where it is located.

Interestingly, the dog had a leather collar and a corroded licence tag, which showed that its owners had paid their dog tax,” says Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Northland Manager, Bill Edwards.

“Our mummified canine is a reminder of a time when the quiet town of Rāwene was the scene of extreme tensions that almost boiled over into open warfare.”

In the 1890s the government introduced a series of taxes, and restrictions on traditional bird hunting, and began enforcing them.

These included a dog tax of two shillings and sixpence per dog. Resistance to these measures grew among Māori in the Hokianga who often owned many dogs, but were not generally part of the cash economy. Many refused to comply.

People who declined to pay the dog tax were fined, which they also ignored. When summonsed for debt they refused to appear.

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“Things deteriorated in 1897 when dog registration was taken over from the police by Henry Menzies, an appointee of the Hokianga County Council. Incredibly, Menzies was not paid a salary but received a shilling for every dog collar sold,” says Bill.

“Essentially, Menzies was put on commission to register as many dogs as possible.”

Menzies visited the predominantly Māori gumfield at Hauturu and issued about 40 summonses. He also allegedly threatened the Māori community that if they did not pay they would be sent to an ice-bound country where their bones would crack from the extreme cold. Some were so terrified they started sleeping in the bush.

“Hauturu was a centre of resistance to the dog tax and other government measures,” says Bill.

“Store owner and Hauturu community leader, Hōne Tōia, succeeded in getting an adjournment of the cases while advocating

for a more conciliatory attitude from officials.”

Tōia set up a hui with council administrators and about 150 Māori who argued their case.

It didn’t end well.

According to NZ History, pigeons were offered to the Pākehā officials who refused them as they had been hunted out of season.

Rōmana Te Paehangi – an elder and relative of Hōne Tōia – declared that the people would not pay the dog tax or other taxes, and that they would not stop shooting pigeons.

According to the New Zealand Dictionary of Biography, Te Paehangi announced that "we will die on account of these taxes".

Hōne Tōia added that people would resist rather than allow themselves to be arrested, and that they would go to Rāwene the next day with their guns. He said there would be no bloodshed unless they came in contact with the law, and no women, children or settlers would be hurt.

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“The next day Tōia joined a party of about 20 armed men led by Rōmana and went to Rāwene,” says Bill.

advising him to disband his followers, retire to his home and petition Parliament about his grievances.”

“The party met with intermediaries including Wesleyan missionary William Gittos, businessman Robert Cochrane and others, and told them they would not fire first. Gittos advised them to return home.”

The intervention succeeded, and the parliamentarian subsequently negotiated a truce. However, Toia and four others were arrested on 6 May. Eleven more arrests followed.

Many settlers withdrew to nearby Kohukohu, or escaped completely. Confronted with this challenge to its authority, the Government sent a force of over 120 men armed with rifles and field guns in two steamers. They also sent in a gun boat – the British warship Torch.

“Hōne Tōia and others served their 18-month sentence at Mt Eden Prison, though this was partly remitted, probably because of a petition signed by over 100 influential leaders of Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa and Te Aupōuri in September 1898,” says Bill.

“The troops landed and marched on Waimā on 5 May – despite efforts at intervention from local rangatira,” says Bill.

Rāwene’s mummified dog – complete with registration tag – probably died a few years after the raruraru at Rāwene, though it serves as a reminder of a time when tensions between Māori and the Crown were high.

“As the soldiers approached the settlement, Hōne Tōia received a telegram from Hōne Heke Ngāpua, the Member of the House of Representatives for Northern Māori,

“The church was an important centre for the community in those days. The building is now

in private hands, and is being adapted as a private home with support from the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund,” says Bill.

The dog is even playing an unlikely role – as an environmental indicator.

“Besides reflecting a troubled time in New Zealand’s history, the dog also tells us a lot about conditions for the long-term conservation of timber, for example,” says Bill.

“The environmental factors which have preserved the dog are the same factors that have enhanced the building’s preservation.” n

Writer: John O’Hare 1. The former Wesleyan Church at Rāwene.

CREDIT: HERITAGE NEW ZEALAND POUHERE TAONGA)

2. Hōne Tōia (centre with hat) and his fellow protestors shortly after their arrest, May 1898.

(CREDIT: ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY (REFERENCE: 1-2/018754; F))

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When Jeannette heard that the house was demolished she wrote the following poem, which has helped her accept the loss of this special heritage place:

CANTERBURY

Fond Memories of 19 Kotare Street, Fendalton, Christchurch "Our old home stood in stylish grace Imposing in its grounds, With frontage on Kotare Street The Avon as its bounds; A Classic of the Twenties Timeless beauty, gracious line It helped create a Fendalton 1

Distinctive and refined......

An ancient wisdom is set down -

It may be gone, but never forgotten

There is a time and space For all to have its season For all its special place......

For every purpose under Heaven Whatever that might be......

All woven in the mists of time

We love to hear stories from heritage supporters. We know that many of you have a personal connection to heritage sites or buildings.

At ninety two, a handsome age, The time had finally come 2

For this Grand Lady to retire Her time on Earth was done.

Long-time Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga members, Bruce and Jeannette Ullrich, shared their memories of their former home Dunstan House at 19 Kotare Street in Christchurch, on learning it has recently been demolished. They lived in the home from 1980 to 2002.

1. Dunstan House in its glory.

An earthquake wrote the final script,

(CREDIT: BRUCE ULLRICH)

A force beyond fair fight,

2. Jeannette Ullrich, centre, flanked by grandchildren Georgia and Andrew. This photo was taken about 10 years ago.

And so the home we once had loved

(CREDIT: ULLRICH FAMILY)

So, new beginnings - time moves on -

Dunstan House was built in the late 1920s for Clyde Welsford, a butcher who had won a fortune in an Australian lottery. The house was designed by BJ Ager. It was one of the first contracts for Charles Luney, the founder of a major Christchurch construction firm.

The house was set on the banks of the Avon River, built in interwar English Domestic Revival style.

connection to Dunstan House.

And opportunity for new sight

“Before we bought the house, I used to go to it every day in my little old car and look at it and dream. People said, ‘What the heck do you want a place like that for?’ But it was a house that spoke to me. It was looking for someone to love it.”

To mastermind their Plan".

Jeannette and Bruce bought the house when they were young. Jeannette felt an instant

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As part of Destiny.

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Succumbed to Nature’s might.

An empty block of land -

Dunstan House was in very poor repair.

Jeannette spent hours sanding green paint off the wooden bannisters and restoring the garden.

By Jeannette Ullrich. n

Writer: Rosemary Baird

AUCKLAND

Heritage creativity in lockdown Tucked down a quiet side street off Auckland’s bustling Ponsonby Road, an historic building with a unique difference is being given a new start as its owners breathe fresh air and new life into this old hallowed hall.

Four years ago Jessica Britten and fiance Warren Durling became the new owners of the former Railway Lodge, listed on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero within the Renall Street Historic Area. The historic area is unique as a cluster of well-preserved late 19th century dwellings and an early surviving example of high-density development. The building, which has accommodated various fraternal organisations over the century, is one of the last remaining landmarks associated with the suburb’s working class origins.

Refurbishing a heritage building and adapting it from its original function to provide a new function is certainly not without its challenges.

Armed with determination and a creative vision, Jessica and Warren are set about making this old dame of Freemans Bay their family home.

Incongruous within its setting of former workers’ cottages, an old historic hall was not necessarily at the front of their minds when they started their property search.

“We had been searching for a couple of years and we always missed out,” says Jessica.

“We knew we wanted to live centrally and within close proximity to town and limited our search to one to two bedroom places within this area."

By chance, a Trade Me listing caught their attention and they instantly fell in love with

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the place at the open home. The couple embarked on a thorough round of due diligence which took around six weeks.

“We were keen to understand what was required due to the heritage aspects, and whilst we wanted to do something distinctly new, we also wanted to honour the heritage of the building."

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Senior Conservation Architect, Robin Byron, has been working with Jessica and Warren and their project architect to provide built heritage advice.

"It was wonderful to experience the love, passion and energy that Jessica and Warren brought to the project to re-invigorate the lodge. It was not without its challenges to turn the property into a family home, but they have done so in a way that retains the essential character and values associated with the place."

Working with Robin and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga has been “absolutely fantastic,” says Jessica.

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Jessica has been documenting their heritage refurbishment project online via their website www.hallweneed.com and on Facebook and Instagram under the handle Hall We Need.

Due to the scope of the building works the Hall We Need household packed up and decamped to make way for the builders and machinery.

The COVID-19 lockdown has brought a halt to building, but the heritage-inspired creativity certainly has not stopped.

Jessica, along with her little assistant, daughter Stevie, embarked on another building project a temporary DIY playhouse in the style of the hall using recycled cardboard. n

Writer: Antony Phillips 1. The central city location is a delight.

2. Daughter Stevie with her replica playhouse.

3. Jessica Britten and Warren Durling outside the former Railway Lodge.

(CREDIT: JESSICA BRITTEN 2020 – ALL PHOTOS)

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CANTERBURY

Digital tours great way to tap into rich heritage During times of restricted travel Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga digital tours are a great way to explore our history from the comfort of your couch.

With Archaeology Week having recently passed and impacted by the lockdown period, now is a great time to revisit ‘Public Houses, Private Lives: Excavating Christchurch’s Colonial Hotels’. Our virtual tour takes you

to the sites of five former colonial hotels in Christchurch. Through photos and videos you learn about the history of each hotel, the excavations after the Canterbury earthquakes and the artefacts archaeologists found at each site.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Outreach Advisor, Rosemary Baird, helped create the app.

“Working on this project showed me how we can learn so much about our history through artefacts,” Rosemary says.

“The images of self-branded china, medicine bottles, dolls' heads and hats are so evocative of everyday colonial life.”

Macdonald, who teaches history at Victoria University, Wellington, has been using the app with her students. It provides an insight into exploring history through objects.

“The current situation makes wonderful electronic resources such as your Public Houses, Private Lives all the more precious,” says Charlotte.

To download the app on to your phone, go to the Apple or Google app store and search for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.

Download the Heritage Trails app and discover our three virtual tours: Path to Nationhood, Waikato War Driving Tour and Public Houses, Private Lives. n

She also loved filming the clips with the archaeologists featured in the app.

“Archaeologists are so passionate about what they do, and this app was an opportunity to ask them practical questions about how they do their job.”

Although it was created in 2018, this app is still seeing regular use. Professor Charlotte

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1 & 2. Hotel site artefacts are often similar to objects found in private homes. All types of people passed through hotels: families, children, men smoking in the bars and servants. Artefacts such as this pipe stem, and hat, connect us with the people that frequented these places.

(CREDIT: CHRISTCHURCH ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT)

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Published by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, Heritage Quarterly keeps you up-to-date with heritage work from around New Zealand.

For more information or to subscribe, write to PO Box 2629, Wellington 6140 or contact the editor, phone: 04 470 8066 or email: mediamarketing@heritage.org.nz. ISSN 2324-4267 (Print) ISSN 2324-4275 (Online).

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