"Three Wellington sites have been given the heritage tick, including a controversial set of flats and the currently closed Central Library.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga has listed the Gordon Wilson and McLean flats, Wellington Central Library and the Wellington Trades Hall as category 1 historic places on the Heritage List. ....
https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/wellington/124343946/three-20th-century-wellington-sites-given-heritage-status
"This Christchurch home was where Kate Sheppard and suffragist supporters spent much time working towards New Zealand becoming the first self-governing country in the world to grant women the vote. It was here that the 270-metre petition was pasted together before being presented to Parliament."
The following is the media Release by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga announcing the purchase.
19/09/2019
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and the University of Canterbury (UC) are delighted with the Government purchase of theCategory 1 listed Kate Sheppard House in Christchurch, as announced by Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods today.
(more…)The following report (and image) of James Blackburne's Whanganui Heritage Trust AGM Presentation appears in the HNZPT "Heritage This Month" e-newsletter.
Key messages given to Whanganui Heritage Trust AGM
Fifty members of the Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust were urged to get out and tell the stories of our heritage places by James Blackburne (pictured), President of Historic Places Aotearoa, at the trust’s recent annual general meeting in Whanganui.
James, an architectural partner based in Gisborne, has been working hard since the formation of Historic Places Aotearoa in 2010 at building a network of likeminded, independent regional heritage organisations in New Zealand.
(more…)Lynne Freeman interviewed Andrew Colman on RNZ National "Summer Times".
"How is Heritage New Zealand planning to make best use of the 6.3 million dollars it received in last May's budget and is on top of the current operating funding of $13 million per year.
The new money's spread over four years, so it's a case of priorities for the organisation that's charged with protecting archaeological and heritage sites. We're joined by the Chief Executive of Heritage New Zealand, Andrew Coleman."
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/summer-days/audio/2018678335/heritage-nz
"Sad passing of heritage stalwart" Pam Wilson (2 March 1937 - 11 February 2018)
Pam Wilson began work for the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT, now Heritage New Zealand) after being on the branch committee for some years in the early 1980s. She worked on the Women’s/Promotions Committee, focusing on advocacy for heritage conservation, raising money to help with projects and elevating the profile of the organisation generally, including gaining more members. In January 1989 Pam began work as the NZHPT Regional Officer for Canterbury, based first in a tiny office in what was then the Peterborough Centre, administered by the Arts Centre. The office moved for a short time into the Cranmer Centre and then to the former Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings. Gradually other staff joined Pam and, with her leadership, the team made huge strides in the recognition and protection of a wealth of historic places throughout Canterbury and the West Coast.
Pam was instrumental in saving many historic places in Canterbury and the West Coast, including the Nurses' Memorial Chapel and the Edmunds Factory Gardens. She sat on many trusts, including the Riccarton House and Bush Trust and the Ngaio Marsh House and Heritage Trust, and was on 'cup of tea and biscuit' status with all of the Category 1 owners of Canterbury's large homesteads. She was also a very astute negotiator and would front to developers and tell them how important historic places were.
By the time of her retirement in 2007, Pam’s office had been in the NZHPT offices in Gough House on Hereford Street. Practically every file we open in the Christchurch office has her handwriting or other mark of her involvement, and even after she officially retired, she helped with work on research and registrations, such as the Kate Sheppard House in Ilam. Like the rest of us, she was devastated about the loss of so much heritage in the Canterbury quakes of 2010 and 2011, but rejoiced in what has been able to be saved.
Pam was an absolute legend and her deep knowledge, kind and gentle manner, curiosity and dedication is widely recognised, both within Heritage New Zealand and in the wider community. In 2007 she received two distinguished awards – the Christchurch City Council’s Civic Award and the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to heritage conservation.
Robyn Burgess, Heritage New Zealand
Historic Places Canterbury was saddened to learn of Pam Wilson's passing.
Robyn Burgess and Heritage New Zealand has generously given us permission to post the Tribute to Pam Wilson that appeared in Heritage This Month March 2018.
Suffragist Sophia Louisa Taylor of Alberton, the historic mansion in Mt Albert cared for by Heritage New Zealand. (HNZ Media Release)
September 7
MEDIA RELEASE
Celebrate Suffrage 125 at Alberton
The first of a series of community art workshops commemorating 125 years of women’s suffrage will begin at Alberton in Auckland on September 22.
The workshop at this Mt Albert mansion will be led by Dunedin artist Janet de Wagt with support from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, and is free to anybody who would like to take part. Participants will create a commemorative banner that will be joined with other banners made in other workshops at key heritage locations around the country over the next few months.
The banners will be amalgamated into one final artwork and launched at Old Government Buildings in Wellington in April next year.
“The banners are a reference to three Parliamentary petitions that were circulated around the country that resulted in women finally being granted the right to vote on 19 September 1893,” says the Manager of Alberton, Rendell McIntosh.
One of the petitions, which was circulated in 1893, includes the signatures of Sophia Louisa Taylor – the owner of Alberton – and her daughter Winifred.
“It’s very appropriate that the workshop is taking place at Alberton,” says Rendell.
“Sophia became a member of the first committee of the Auckland branch of the Women’s Franchise League and used her wit, intelligence and energy to make resolutions and speeches in favour of women’s suffrage.”
Sophia Taylor supported the franchise movement for the practical reason that if women had to obey laws and pay taxes like men, surely they also deserved the vote. Like many other socially prominent women, she also supported the Auckland Tailoresses Union.
“The petition that Sophia and Winifred signed was described by suffragist Kate Sheppard as a “monster petition” consisting of petition sheets circulated throughout New Zealand, and returned to Christchurch where Sheppard pasted each sheet end on end and rolled it around a section of a broom handle,” says Rendell.
“The ‘Monster Petition’ survives, and contains 25,519 signatures – including some men.”
The roll was presented to Parliament with great drama. Sir John Hall, Member of Parliament and suffrage supporter, brought it into the House and unrolled it down the central aisle of the debating chamber until it hit the end wall with a thud.
“The banners will be an artistic representation of that extraordinary social movement that ultimately saw New Zealand becoming the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote,” he says.
Artistic ability is not necessary for people to take part in the workshops – and Janet de Wagt is looking forward to working with a range of different ideas and skills. Alberton will also be hosting a Suffragists Tea on September 22 and 23 which, he says, is another good reason to come along and take part.
The tea will include a plum cake made from Sophia’s recipe by Marist College students (tea or coffee $6 per person, or $10 to view the house).
“Participants will be able to use painting, printing, stamping, drawing and weaving – whatever they prefer – to create the banners,” he says.
“Participation is the important thing – and celebrating a movement that changed New Zealand and the world forever.”
September 3
MEDIA RELEASE
Celebrate Suffrage 125 with Heritage New Zealand
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga staff across the country are involved in a number of events to commemorate and promote Suffrage 125 this month and beyond.
A particular highlight will be a series of suffrage themed community art workshops at six heritage properties in Auckland (Alberton, Sept 22); Christchurch (Ferrymead Heritage Park, Oct 14); Wellington (Old Government Building, Oct 29); Dunedin (Otago Pioneer Women’s Memorial Hall, Nov 3); Oamaru (Totara Estate, Nov 10) and in Northland (Clendon House, Rawene, Nov 24).
Renowned community artist, Janet de Wagt, is partnering with Heritage New Zealand to deliver an experience in which participants will use painting, printing, stamping, drawing and weaving to create a series of banners inspired by the stories of women’s suffrage.
“We’re really excited about involving new groups in heritage and suffrage history,” says Heritage New Zealand Canterbury-West Coast Outreach Advisor, Rosemary Baird, who is coordinating the community art workshops.
Auckland:
December 4
MEDIA RELEASE
Christmas cheer at Pompallier Mission
Christmas cheer will be coming to Russell once again this year at the annual Carols @ Pompallier concert at Pompallier Mission, the Heritage New Zealand property in Russell, Bay of Islands.
Concert-goers will also have the opportunity to sing along to some favourite Christmas Carols.
“Carols @ Pompallier is an annual fixture for the Russell community and is a great way for the community to re-connect and kick off the festive season,” says the Manager of Pompallier Mission, Scott Elliffe.
People are invited to bring a picnic, rug and good cheer.
“Pompallier Mission has the only public gardens in Russell, so it’s a great opportunity for families to enjoy a very pleasant evening of festive entertainment in this beautiful historic setting,” says Scott.
Admission to Carols @ Pompallier is free to everybody. (Alternative wet weather venue – Christ Church in Russell).
Media Contact: Scott Elliffe, Ph 09-403-9015
September 3
MEDIA RELEASE
Celebrate Suffrage 125 with Heritage New Zealand
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga staff across the country are involved in a number of events to commemorate and promote Suffrage 125 this month and beyond.
A particular highlight will be a series of suffrage themed community art workshops at six heritage properties in Auckland (Alberton, Sept 22); Christchurch (Ferrymead Heritage Park, Oct 14); Wellington (Old Government Building, Oct 29); Dunedin (Otago Pioneer Women’s Memorial Hall, Nov 3); Oamaru (Totara Estate, Nov 10) and in Northland (Clendon House, Rawene, Nov 24).
Renowned community artist, Janet de Wagt, is partnering with Heritage New Zealand to deliver an experience in which participants will use painting, printing, stamping, drawing and weaving to create a series of banners inspired by the stories of women’s suffrage. Janet de Wagt bio for promotion
“We’re really excited about involving new groups in heritage and suffrage history,” says Heritage New Zealand Canterbury-West Coast Outreach Advisor, Rosemary Baird, who is coordinating the community art workshops.
Christchurch:
Full details of Suffrage 125 events involving Heritage New Zealand staff around the country are on the Heritage New Zealand website and Facebook, and Eventfinda.
December 5
MEDIA RELEASE
Christmas Time at Highwic
Christmases past will be celebrated at Highwic this year as harpist and entertainer Cathie Harrop presents Christmas Time at Highwic – a series of concerts providing a glimpse into the celebration of Christmas in Victorian times.
The historic mansion in Newmarket, which is cared for by Heritage New Zealand, will be the perfect venue for the concerts which will include storyteller and narrator Illona Rogers, pianist Hadley Ronayne along with musicians Jennie and Dave Khan, and soprano Amanda Kirk.
Christmas Time at Highwic will hark back to the days when there was time to enjoy family gatherings, parties, dances, grand balls, and friends gathered around the piano. The concerts will capture the fun, laughter, nostalgia and homesickness which were a hallmark of Victorian Christmases in New Zealand. Music, stories, songs, parlour games and monologues will be performed on the night bringing these feelings to life.
“The Christmas shows that Cathie and her team have put on in the past have been wonderful, and this year will be no exception,” says the Manager of Highwic, Cheryl Laurie.
“Before the concerts begin people will also be able to explore Highwic’s traditional Christmas gift shop, and after the show enjoy a Victorian style supper in the billiard room with the performers.”
Don’t miss Christmas Time at Highwic, December 17 (6.30pm), December 18 and 19 (7.30pm). Tickets $49 per person (all inclusive). Bookings essential – book viawww.cathieharrop.com or Ph 09-479-2361.
