Case Study 9.1: Canterbury Heritage Awards

The Canterbury Heritage Awards recognise excellence in heritage retention and conservation and heritage tourism and education in the public and private sectors, promoting the values of best-practice heritage retention and conservation to the wider community (www.heritageawards.co.nz).

The awards are held biennially and administered by the Christchurch Heritage Awards Charitable Trust. They comprise six sponsored categories and an overall winner selected from one of those categories. While the winners receive trophies, commendations may also be made. The awards are formally awarded at a ticketed ceremony, which has become an important event in the region’s heritage calendar.

Importantly, the Canterbury Heritage Awards have been tailored to the specific needs of the Canterbury heritage environment following the earthquakes that devastated the region’s built heritage. While the inaugural awards were held in 2010, the trust relaunched and adapted the awards in 2012 following the earthquakes. The geographic scope was expanded to include the other areas most affected by the earthquakes, and new categories were introduced to take into account the impacts on heritage of the natural disaster.

Consequently, within the six categories there is now a strong emphasis on repair, restoration and the needs of the recovering region. The Saved and Restored Awards recognise those undertaking important repair and restoration works on the region’s buildings and also include the public realm, acknowledging the significance of these landscapes and spaces in an environment where so much of the built heritage has been lost. The Seismic Award recognises the demonstration potential of good earthquakestrengthening work and the importance of inspiring others to undertake this valuable role. The inclusion of an award recognising a new building that shows sensitivity to the streetscape and landscape, and secures a cultural legacy for the future (the Future Heritage Award), reflects the importance of the design of new buildings in Canterbury and the impacts they can have on the region’s remaining heritage buildings and streetscapes. Combined with awards recognising outstanding contributions to heritage and heritage tourism, these categories acknowledge Canterbury’s distinct challenges and opportunities and the areas in which appreciation and inspiration can be of value.

Canterbury Heritage Awards: Awards evenings provide a great opportunity to publicly celebrate the efforts of owners, professionals and volunteers.

PHOTO CREDIT: CHRISTCHURCH HERITAGE AWARDS TRUST