Explore the built heritage of Ongaonga with Historic Places Hawk's Bay, Saturday 26 March.
Meet in the car park of the Ongaonga Historical Museum at 10.30am for a tour of historic buildings followed by morning tea.
Vaccine Pass required at entry.
Cost $12.00 per person includes morning tea.
Email philipirwin@xtra.co.nz to book and how to pay etc.
Deputation to Waikura Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board,
Made by Mark Gerrard. Wednesday 16th March 2022.
Chair, Councillors and Community Board Members,
Thank you for granting me this opportunity to make this Deputation on:
Agenda Item 10. Woodham Park - Former Caretaker's Residence and Grounds
Firstly, I am making this Deputation as a Community Board Resident.
I have deep concerns with the reports recommendation and the logic and processes of the decision making.
My concerns are the following:
1. No Public Engagement with the residents/groups etc about the possible future use of this former caretaker’s residence. It has been my experience that there are groups looking for a venue. It would be good civic practice to attempt to actively engage and work with the Community before a decision to demolish is made.
2. I can find no attached report or reference in the Report that the Council’s own Heritage Team has made an assessment. I have checked with the Heritage Team and no Council former Caretaker Residences (aside from the Botanical Gardens) have been scheduled on the CCC District Plan. Admittedly, 1940s Houses such as these are humble but we should have at least some protected before they all vanish. Buildings such as these are part of our collective Heritage. The Council should leading by example.
3. I can find no mention of the CCC Heritage Strategy "Our Heritage Our Taonga" in this report. Was the former residence assessed as possible heritage? The CCC as an owner should be proactive and be leading by example.
4. The existing building is the greenest building. I am perturbed the former residence was allowed to sit unused, and presumably allowed to deteriorate, according to the report, since 2009, and no active use sought or decision about its future made. Many residents would not consider this good practice.
I am formally requesting the Community Board, decline any decision to demolish and instead proactively seek Community Engagement and input with the aim of making the former caretaker’s residence available for community use. In addition measures will need to be implemented to stop reported antisocial behaviour.
Related to this, I request the Community Board seek a Heritage Assessment from the CCC Heritage Team as to the former caretaker’s residence’s suitability for Scheduling on the District Plan.
Finally, I note the Council has a Heritage Strategy "Our Heritage Our Taonga", could I request this Community Board send a communication that it expects in its reports, that Council Staff be proactive where potential heritage may be involved (no matter how minor) and seek the advice and involvement of the CCC Heritage Team.
Thank You for listening to this Deputation.
Mark Gerrard
The Agenda Item can be found at the following link.
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2022/03/LCHB_20220316_AGN_7602_AT_WEB.htm
Temporary reprieve for 103-year-old war memorial - The press
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/128012983/temporary-reprieve-for-103yearold-war-memorial
HPC Chair Mark Gerrard quote along with Christchurch Civic Trust Chair Ross Grey
Historic Places Canterbury Public Forum Presentation to the Christchurch City Council
Thursday, 10th March 2022
Mayor and Councillors,
Thank You for allowing me to make this presentation.
Historic Places Canterbury (HPC) has concerns about the processes leading up to and the decision to demolish the Upper Riccarton War Memorial Library.
Our major concerns are the following:
Lack of Extensive Community Engagement.
HPC considers the community and stakeholders should have had a say in the future of this iconic building, on site since 1919.
After HPC raised its concerns publicly; a Christchurch RSA has been in touch expressing an interest. For myself, within a minute of finishing my live interview with Radio New Zealand’s Jessie Mulligan, a property developer rang asking about strengthening costs. There is interest in the community.
HPC has received an usually large number of emails expressing opposition to the proposed demolition.
HPC has been told that regular ANZAC services were held at the Library with an attendance of 200 odd people, chairs were lent by the adjacent Spagalimis and a local bakery opening up early to supply food.
Why will the CCC not work with the community to retain and determine a future for this building?
No Heritage Assessment included in the Report to Council.
The CCC Heritage Team did not provide a formal heritage assessment of the building. The question needs to be raised, why were they not asked? A 1919 building called the Upper Riccarton War Memorial Library, any reasonable Christchurch Resident would conclude it should have been assessed by the CCC Heritage Team before a recommendation to demolish.
Surely the CCC should be leading by example? This is a case where Leadership was required.
Some of the Councillors may recall similar circumstances occurred with the Yaldhurst Memorial Hall. We were given assurances then, it would not happen again.
Stating the building was not listed with the HNZPT or scheduled in the District Plan so it has little heritage relevance, the cost, no economic use (as assessed by CCC Staff) are similar arguments used regularly by Property Developers when they plan to demolish. Surely the CCC can do better and lead by example?
CCC Heritage Strategy- Our Heritage Out Taonga
I could find no reference to this Strategy in the report to Council.
The question is being asked what is the value of this much consulted and supported strategy that a 1919 War Memorial Library Building does not warrant an assessment yet alone a reference to the Strategy in a CCC Report?
Jock Philips in his book “To the Memory” observed there was a transition from Sculptural Monuments (South African/WW1) to Living Memorials (like the WW 2 Memorial Halls). This Library Building, a Living WW1 Memorial, the first of severn, could be significant. It awaits the CCC Heritage Team to make this assessment.
Mark Gerrard
Chair Historic Places Canterbury
Historic Places Canterbury Chair Mark Gerrard interviewed on RNZ "Afternoons with Jessie Mulligan":
Topics covered include the demolition of the Upper Riccarton War Memorial Library, the building is the Memorial, the importance of heritage, adaptive reuse and why we have and should be protecting our World War Two memorial halls.
Heritage advocates outraged at plans to demolish 103-year-old memorial library The Press online article.
Historic Places Canterbury Chair Mark Gerrard, Chirstchurch Civic Trust Chair and Dame Anna Crighton quoted.
RNZ Afternoons with Jessie Mulligan
Historic Places Canterbury Chair Mark Gerrard interviewed on decision to demolish Upper Riccarton War Memorial Library:
Media Release: Demolition of the Upper Riccarton War Memorial Library
Monday 14th February 2022
From Historic Places Canterbury and the Christchurch Civic Trust
"Historic Places Canterbury and the Christchurch Civic Trust call upon the Christchurch City Council to abandon its decision to demolish The Upper Riccarton War Memorial Library."
Background:
The Christchurch City Council (CCC) decided at the 10th February meeting to take over the ownership and demolish the Upper Riccarton War Memorial Library. The Upper Riccarton War Memorial Library dating back to 1919 is the first of seven built to commemorate the fallen of World War One. (The Upper Riccarton War Memorial Library consists of the Library and the Annex.)
Historic Places Canterbury (HPC) Chair Mark Gerrard:
"It is a shock the Christchurch City Council (CCC) decided to demolish the Upper Riccarton War Memorial Library, dedicated to the fallen of World War One, without extensive consultation with the community and heritage/interested stakeholders.
"The Report does not contain or refer to any type of heritage assessment of the Memorial Library by the CCC Heritage Team.
"The CCC should have shown leadership and had the Heritage Team formally assess the building(s) suitability to be protected by scheduling on the District Plan.
"The Council's "Our Heritage, Our Taonga" Strategy Executive Summary states "...We work together to recognise, protect and celebrate our heritage, ..." Surely this is a case where the Council and its Staff should have made an effort, to honour its own Heritage Strategy and decided to retain the building.
"A copy of the DEE (Detail Engineering Evaluation) was not attached to the report. For transparency it should have been included so it could be peer reviewed.
"Historic Places Canterbury considers the Upper Riccarton Memorial Library to be a living social link to an extremely significant event in our past which should be preserved for our future generations.
Christchurch Civic Trust Chair Ross Gray:
"It is distressing the CCC did not actively reach out and seek an alternative for this much loved local iconic building which has a significant social history.
"This Memorial Library has stood for more than 100 years as a symbol to the fallen of World War One. It was the first of seven such libraries. The CCC should show moral leadership and recognise this building is special by retaining it.
"I cannot find any reference to the CCC "Our Heritage Strategy, Our Taonga" (under Criteria for Retaining Council Property) in the report to the Council Meeting.
"Why was the CCC's Heritage Strategy "Our Heritage ,Our Taonga" not considered in the Report?
"The Residents of Christchurch might question why they spent time and effort submitting on "Our Heritage, Our Taonga" strategy, when in this case, it appears not to have been taken seriously by the Council and its Staff.
Dame Anna Crighton:
‘What is wrong with the current generation who seem to be hell bent on erasing memories of our past? This memorial exists to commemorate and honour those Cantabrians who died in World War 1. It is a tangible reminder of that sacrifice.
‘Whaka- aturia nga mahi a o koutou tupuna hei raukura ma nga uri whaka- tupu. Bring to light the achievements of your ancestors, gifts handed down through the generations to be handed on to the descendants yet unborn”.
Mark Gerrard
Chair Historic Places Canterbury
Ross Gray
Chair Christchurch Civic Trust
The Ministry of the Environment has a e-news mail-out "RM Reform Update" which provides updates on the RM Reforms progress.
You can subscribe to it at the following link:
https://govt.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ebebf9501bcd56a598aa9f357&id=a9cef20157&e=a34f27083e
The Fifth Edition is out.
(more…)Five new members have been appointed to the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT) Board and Māori Heritage Council.
Katharine Watson of Christchurch is an archaeologist at Watson Archaeology Ltd and is currently completing her PhD at the University of Canterbury. Katharine will join the HNZPT Board.
James Blackburne of Gisborne is an architect with great experience in heritage restoration. He has been involved in a number of heritage restorations that include several marae. James will join the HNZPT Board.
Puawai Cairns (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pukenga and Ngāi Te Rangi) is the Director of Audience and Insights at Te Papa Tongarewa and was previously the museum’s Head of Mātauranga Māori. Puawai will conjointly serve on the HNZPT Board and the Māori Heritage Council.
Tom Roa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato) is a Tainui leader and Associate Professor in the University of Waikato’s Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies. Tom is skilled in Māori translation and interpretation and was a founder of the Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori movement. Tom will join the Maōri Heritage Council.
Ruth Smith (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou and Rongowhakaata) is a translator and interpreter for Maioha Consulting Ltd and has had an extensive career in translations. Ruth has a background in education and media, and has previously worked as a reporter and journalist for Māori television. Ruth will join the Māori Heritage Council.
Outgoing members of the HNZPT Board include Bryce Barnett, who has served the Board since 2017, Kim Ngarimu, who has served the Board and Council since 2014, and David Nicoll, who has served the Board since 2017 and resigned in October 2021.
Outgoing members of the Māori Heritage Council include Paul White, who has served on the Council since 2017, and Dame Naida Glavish, who has served the Board and Council since 2011 before shifting to her standalone role on the Council from 2017.
Manatū Taonga thanks the outgoing members for their significant contributions and years of dedicated service on the Board and Council.
HNZPT is an autonomous Crown Entity leading work relating to the care, integrity and protection of national and historical heritage in New Zealand. The Māori Heritage Council assists HNZPT in developing and reflecting a bicultural view in the exercise of its powers and functions. Council members advocate the interests of Pouhere Taonga in relation to Māori heritage at any public or Māori forum.
Media Release sourced from Scoop.
(more…)For services to tramways and heritage
Mr Dave Hinman retired in 2019 following 50 years with Christchurch City Council.
Mr Hinman was instrumental in the planning and construction of the City Tourist Tramway in Christchurch, acting as Project Manager from 1993 to 1994. The tramway has almost doubled the original 1995 route length from his efforts in engaging with Christchurch City Council, Heritage Tramways Trust and Christchurch Tramway Limited. He recently retired as Secretary of Tramway Historical Society (THS), having held positions on the Management Committee since 1966, and been President from 1972 to 1979. He was THS delegate on the Council of Tramway Museums of Australasia, an Executive member from 1986 and was Chairman until recently. He was Canterbury Branch Chairman of New Zealand Historic Places Trust from 1994 to 2002. He was instrumental in working with Christchurch Council and Christchurch Tramway Limited to reopen the tracks in 2013, following their destruction due to the 2011 earthquake. He was employed to be part of the Christchurch Council’s Heritage Response Team, which focused on retaining Heritage and Character buildings in the central city. He is former Trustee of the Ferrymead Trust, having played a key role in the planning and development of the Ferrymead museum complex. Mr Hinman is a past President of the New Zealand Planning Institute and a current Fellow.
