“Four in a row for Pompallier Mission” Heritage New Zealand Media Release (23.06.2017)

Scott Elliffe at Pompallier Mission. (Image sourced Heritage New Zealand

 

 

 

June 23

MEDIA RELEASE

Four in a row for Pompallier Mission

One of the Bay of Islands’ favourite tourist destinations has won a Trip Advisor Certificate in Excellence.

Pompallier Mission, the historic building in Russell which is cared for by Heritage New Zealand, is the recipient of the coveted award for the fourth year in a row. Only one percent of visitor attractions world-wide received the award this year.

“I’m thrilled for the site, but most importantly I’m delighted for the Visitor Hosts who work here so tirelessly to deliver a great experience,” says the Manager of Pompallier Mission, Scott Elliffe.

“What the award signals is a consistently high level of visitor engagement. It really is a ‘people’s choice’ award – and the pinnacle in visitor endorsement.” (more…)

“Stone Store nominated for retail award” Heritage New Zealand Media Release (28.05.2018)

 

 

 

May 28

Liz Bigwood at Kerikeri’s Stone Store.

MEDIA RELEASE

Stone Store nominated for retail award

The New Zealand Retail Association has nominated the Stone Store as a finalist in the Best Provincial Retailer category of the 2018 Retail Hotlist awards.

The Association praised the way the Stone Store shop “balances its role as a living museum with a successful and beautifully merchandised retail operation”.

Manager of the Stone Store, Liz Bigwood, is delighted with the nomination, which she says is a tremendous honor in itself.

“The Stone Store began as a trading post in 1836, and has been in business in one form or another pretty well since then,” she says.

Trade of iron tools and implements, cloth, and basic foodstuffs like flour, tea, and sugar were stock in trade with local Maori and it was primarily this trade and the attraction of shipping into the Eastern Bay of Islands that Hongi Hika and other Ngapuhi leaders intended when they allowed a missionary settlement here.

“In later years, people used to say of the store that you could buy anything from a needle to an anchor, and we continue that tradition by stocking a wide range of goods, including authentic items similar to those that would have been on sale in the 19thCentury.”

A recent example includes wooden butter molds, similar to those available in New Zealand over a century ago, that are still manufactured in Germany. The Stone Store also stocks a range of quality New Zealand merchandise.

“It takes time to source these products, and it’s important that they fit well with our market and the heritage values of this place,” says Liz.

“The nomination acknowledges the special nature of the Stone Store as a unique retail operation, and the team that makes it so special.”

The awards take place on June 6.

(St Francis Xavier Catholic Church) “Second life for historic church” Heritage New Zealand Media Release (09.06.2016)

St Francis Xavier Catholic Church – now the Russell Chapel on the Olive Grove – is enjoying a second lease on life.
(Image source Heritage New Zealand)

"A historic Northland church that was deconsecrated and sold to private owners as a result of a dwindling congregation is enjoying a second life.

"St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, originally built in Kawakawa in 1875, was relocated to Uruti Bay near Russell in 2012 by Jo and Ross Blackman, and has been re-purposed as a wedding venue – now known as ‘Russell Chapel on the Olive Grove’.

The Media Release is as follows: (more…)

Beca Heritage Week 2018: “Strength from Struggle – Remembering our courageous communities.”

Beca Heritage Week 2018: "Strength from Struggle – Remembering our courageous communities."

An annual festival held in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula to celebrate the heritage of our district.

Dates: 12-22 October.

The details have been released.

This year there are some significant anniversaries in terms of large scale national and international events including:

  • 125 years since women’s suffrage achieved in New Zealand
  • 100 years since the World War I armistice
  • 100 years since the 1918 influenza pandemic.

The theme for Beca Heritage Week 2018 reflects these significant anniversaries which were hard won or hard fought struggles in world and New Zealand history.

These anniversaries present an opportunity to remember the challenges faced by many communities in the past, commemorate the loss, courage and endurance of those who came before us, and celebrate their victories.

Opua “Heritage ‘detective’ work sheds light on true history of house” Heritage new Zealand Media Release (07.06.2016)

The house at Opua – archaeological research has shown that it was not part of the historic Te Wahapu Barracks.
(Image source Heritage New Zealand

"A house in Opua – widely believed to have been part of historic barracks that were established by colonial troops at Te Wahapu in 1846 – has another story to tell.

“Close inspection of saw marks on the stud timber, however, show that it was cut using a ‘Twin Break Down Saw’. This type of saw did not appear in New Zealand mills until the 1870s – which is a long time after the Te Wahapu Barracks was built. The timber is also kauri which means it was milled in New Zealand. Both factors strongly suggest that the house was not part of the original barracks.”

"The saw marks are a good example of how building archaeology techniques can provide insights into the construction method of historic buildings and their history according to Heritage New Zealand’s Northland Area Manager, Bill Edwards.

The Media Release is as follows: (more…)

Thames “Historic post boxes listed by Heritage New Zealand.” Heritage New Zealand Media Release (09.06.2016)

One of Thames’ three Levinge pillar boxes. This one is located on Pollen Street. (Image sourced HNZ Media Release

"Heritage New Zealand has listed Thames’ historic pillar boxes as a Category 2 historic place.

“One of the pillar boxes in Pollen Street, for example, is the oldest in use in the North Island, and the second oldest in the country. People have used it to post letters for almost as long as the township of Thames has been in existence.”

"Two of Thames’ three pillar boxes, which were designed by New South Wales Post Office clerk Thomas Levinge, were installed in 1869, with the third added in 1878.

The Media Release is as follows: (more…)

“HERITAGE COUNTS 2017: Heritage and Society” Report: Historic England

 Historic England produces an annual report on Heritage.  Their latest publication "HERITAGE COUNTS 2017 Heritage and Society" is a very interesting read.

The following quote is a sampler...

"Heritage:

1. Heritage plays an important part in our well-being and quality of life – 93% of residents say that local heritage has an impact on their quality of life.

2. Heritage supports social cohesion and inclusion – People can develop much stronger, long-lasting connections with their communities through heritage conservation work.

3. Heritage improves places – 80% of people think local heritage makes their area a better place to live.

4. People value heritage – 73% of UK adults agree that the UK government has a moral obligation to protect our heritage."

 Source : HERITAGE COUNTS 2017 Heritage and Society

You can download the report at the following link:  https://historicengland.org.uk/research/heritage-counts/2017-conservation-areas/heritage-and-society/

 

“Fresh signage for Northland’s historic places” Heritage New Zealand Media Release (15.06.2016)

"Heritage Northland Inc is targeting six pre-existing signs around the Waimate North area for upgrading as part of a new project to improve historic interpretation signage at key places.

“The signs are getting rather worn so Heritage Northland approached the Rotary Club to see if they’d be happy for us to make some new ones. They were delighted and gave a generous donation towards the project,” says Kerikeri resident Grainger Brown of Heritage Northland.

“Initially we plan to put up six signs, and if the project goes well more may be added in Northland.  One of the signs will point to Arthur's Stone near Waimate North – a seven-foot basalt column which is also New Zealand's first traffic accident memorial, and listed as a Category 1 historic place by Heritage New Zealand,”

The Media is as follows: (more…)

“Crafts and Coffee kick off winter hours at the Honey House Cafe” Heritge New Zeland Media Release (15.05.2018)

 

Rina Ward at the Honey House Café (Image HNZ Media Release)

May 15

MEDIA RELEASE

Crafts and Coffee kick off winter hours at the Honey House Cafe

The Honey House Café – one of Kerikeri’s favourite coffee spots – is staying open throughout winter, and a local artist is taking advantage of the extended hours to share her craft with others.

Jewellery maker Rina Ward will hold the first of a number of ‘Crafts & Coffee’ get-togethers on Thursday, 31stMay (10.30am-12.30pm), and is encouraging people to come along and enjoy a morning of “coffee, cake and charm jewellery making”.

“For the cover charge of $25 people can enjoy coffee and cake, and receive a jewellery starter kit to start them off,” says Rina, who owns Nostalgems Handmade Jewellery.

“I’ll be showing participants how to create one-of-a-kind heirloom-style jewellery, and offer a helping hand if needed. It’s not a workshop, but more an opportunity for people to get together and have fun. What better way to spend a winter morning than with some coffee, cake and a bit of crafting, together with people who have similar interests?”

One person who has taken part in one of Rina’s jewellery workshops in the past is the Manager of the Kerikeri Mission Station and Honey House Cafe, Liz Bigwood.

“As the name Nostalgem suggests, Rina’s jewellery has a wonderful heritage feel and her work is very popular in the Stone Store shop,” she says.

“Rina’s charm bracelets, for example, give people the opportunity to incorporate little keepsakes or objects that might otherwise become lost or overlooked – instead, giving them a purpose and significance that they might not otherwise have.”

A bracelet made by Liz incorporates a button from her grandfather’s army coat which he wore at Gallipoli.

“The button is only small but by incorporating it into a piece of jewellery it somehow gives it a focus and enables his story to be kept alive. Charm bracelets are a great way of highlighting these little treasures which might otherwise be in danger of being lost or forgotten.”

Holding the ‘Crafts & Coffee’ get-togethers at the Honey House shows what a versatile space the café can be according to Liz.

“It’s warm and comfortable with great food and a wonderful outlook – the perfect place for gatherings of this kind. Being open throughout winter also means this space can be available for community use like this – as well as being good news for all our local regulars.”

The Honey House will be open Wednesdays through to Sundays from about 9am and will feature a menu of tasty winter lunch meals and snacks including hearty winter soup, pies, toasted sandwiches, scones and frittata as well as favourites like the café’s toffee apple cake and its quality espresso and teas.

People can book their place on the crafty coffee meet-up by calling Rina on 021 175 9700, or emailing Rina at nostalgems@gmail.com