Highwic
10am - 4pm, free admission
Anyone for lawn croquet? A lovely place to spend Waitangi Day. Enjoy our beautiful gardens, bring your own picnic.
Flags flying! Display: The Story of our Flag.Devonshire Tea available for $8.00 per person.
Alberton
10am - 4pm, free admission
Relax in the sun on the gracious lawns or verandahs. Bring a picnic to enjoy under the trees. Anyone for lawn croquet, quoits or stilt-walking?
Flags flying! Display: The Story of our Flags.
Properties in Auckland cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga will once again open their doors to the public free of charge on Waitangi Day.
The historic places include Highwic in Newmarket and Alberton in Mt Albert.
The country’s lead heritage organisation cares for these properties on behalf of all New Zealanders, and the free entry is its way to help commemorate and reflect on our national day. This year’s main theme will be ‘the building of a nation’.
“This theme relates to our built heritage as representative of what preceded the 1840 signing and what dated it,” says Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Chief Executive Andrew Coleman.
“They are physical reminders, or touchstones, of Māori and Pākehāinteraction; of who we are, where we have come from and where we will collectively go as New Zealanders.
“Our properties tell a small part of a wider story of the nation. They are open free of charge to enjoy, learn from and appreciate a snapshot of our history.
“The objective of the open day is to promote the significance of Heritage New Zealand places that contribute to the story of early Māori and Pākehāinteraction and the progression to the multicultural society we are today in a family, fun and inclusive way,” says Andrew.
The open day is part of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga’s commitment to honouring the vision for Māori heritage as contained in the Māori Heritage Council’s document Tapuwae.
“Tapuwae means ‘sacred footprint’. The purpose of the document, and the properties opening, is to further express the idea that we can look back to see where we have been as we move forward, taking more steps,” says Andrew.
“It’s a day of commemoration and reflection. We hope all New Zealanders take the opportunity to visit one or more of these special places.”
For more information please visit www.heritage.org.nz
December 19
MEDIA RELEASE
Visitors to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga’s properties in Aucklandcould be in to win some special prizes in a photo competition running over the holiday break.
From Boxing Day, Heritage New Zealand will run a ‘Picture Postcards’ series of Facebook posts celebrating some of the cool properties Heritage New Zealand cares for on behalf of all Kiwis – including Highwic and Alberton in Auckland.
Punters can drop a photo into any of the ‘Picture Postcards’ posts of them and their family and friends at one of Heritage New Zealand’s properties and go in the draw to win a copy of Landmarks – notable historic buildings of New Zealandby David McGill and Grant Sheehan.
A copy of the book will be up for grabs with each post, and people are encouraged to get their friends to vote for their photo. At the end of the series the best overall photo will win a special prize.Photos can be of any of Heritage New Zealand’s properties, not just from the daily post. For more information on properties please visit http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit
Holiday diversions at Highwic
Dreading the prospect of trying to entertain bored kids these school holidays? Fret no more.
Highwic – the historic mansion in Newmarket cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – is organising some kids events that will help keep the young ones occupied during the first week of the holidays.
Highwic volunteers will crank up the coal range on April 19 and offer children the chance to make and bake their own Gingerbread People.
“Gingerbread figures have a long and illustrious history, with the first recorded example dating back to Queen Elizabeth I who had gingerbread figures made in the likeness of important guests at one of her banquets,” says Highwic’s Samantha Keen.
“The tasty biscuit treat gained popularity over the centuries, and would have been a favourite of the Buckland family’s 21 children who lived at Highwic.”
Children will also be able to have a go at making and decorating paper dolls at Highwic on April 18 and 20.
Bookings for baking are essential. For more information on times and costs visit http://www.heritage.org.nz/news-and-events/events
Wonderful Highwic. (Credit: Grant Sheehan)
Art Deco Day at Highwic
Auckland’s Own Art Deco Day Out will make a grand entrance once again at Highwic on 8 April (1pm to 6pm).
The 150-year-old mansion in Newmarket, which is cared for by Heritage New Zealand, will throw open its gates for the annual festival of all things Deco including live jazz performed at the Cup Cake Café on-site, and a sparkling array of classic cars from the days of flappers and swingers.
Refreshing G&Ts will also be on sale for the day at Hendrick’s Gin Bar, and a range of stalls selling quality vintage products will also be operating within Highwic’s grounds. If that isn’t enough, Highwic’s shop will also be selling its range of Victorian style vintage greeting cards, games, books, crafts and more.
The hotly contested Glory Days Costume Competition will be held once again. The contest is free to enter and fabulous prizes from Minnie Cooper, Glory Days, Hendrick's Gin and Highwic will be awarded to the Best Dressed Lady, Gent and Child.
The team from Gin Mill Swing will also host a free dance class early on so people can learn some fancy moves before dancing the afternoon away to live jazz from the New Orleans Joymakers.
The wonderful world of Art Deco provides the ultimate in feel-good nostalgia, says Highwic Property Lead Cheryl Laurie.
“The $5 admission fee is also great value, enabling people to look around Highwic – though it will pay to bring some extra cash to enjoy some of the other attractions we’ll have on-site,” she says.
For more information on Auckland’s Own Art Deco Day Out – including parking directions – visit http://www.heritage.org.nz/news-and-events/events/highwic-art-deco-day
Don’t miss Auckland’s Own ). Admission: $5 per adult; children free. Refreshments not included in admission.
Caption: Wonderful Highwic. Credit: Grant Sheehan
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.
November 2
MEDIA RELEASE
Christmas Garden Festival coming up at Highwic
Highwic’s Christmas Garden Festival (November 18-19) will offer something for everyone – and some great fun for children in particular.
Best of all the Festival is free for everyone this year.
The timeless charm of the annual spring garden extravaganza at Highwic – the historic mansion cared for by Heritage New Zealand in Newmarket – will serve as a backdrop to a number of attractions that will appeal to kids of all ages.
“On the Saturday morning (November 18) we’ll kick off with our ‘Make a Christmas Garden’ competition for children. We’ll supply materials for kids to have a go at making a mini-garden, or if they prefer they can bring one they’ve made at home,” says the Manager of Highwic, Cheryl Laurie.
“Children will also be able to enjoy performances by Cherry the Clown giving parents the perfect opportunity to sneak away and do some Christmas shopping on-site at the Highwic Christmas Shop.”
Other entertainment will include performances by the Albany Ladies Choir on Saturday afternoon, a pipe band and Carols by Ukulele throughout Sunday.
“The annual Highwic Christmas Garden Festival has become a ‘must attend’ for Auckland’s keen gardeners, and as always there will be plenty to interest growers,” says Cheryl.
“This year we have flower arrangements throughout Highwic house and the grounds, as well as plant stalls which are always very popular. Dr Keith Hammett will also lead a series of Garden Tours around the grounds, which have proven to be a regular favourite over the years. At $5 per person the tours are great value, though numbers are limited.”
Highwic has also been working with the For The Love of Bees project, to become Auckland’s first inner city organic park. Festival goers will be able to see the beginnings of a pasture painting by Newmarket school in the orchard. These plantings of bee friendly plants will be food for the two beehives which will be installed in early November.
The Highwic Christmas Garden Festival takes place on November 18-19 (10am-4pm). Admission free. For programme details check the Heritage New Zealand website: http://www.heritage.org.nz/news-and-events/events/garden-festival
September 21
MEDIA RELEASE
Highwic’s organic park the bees knees
One of Auckland’s much-loved historic places is joining the For the Love of Bees project and making plans to become the city’s first urban Organic Park.
The aim will be to create a 1.1 hectare biological sanctuary for Auckland’s precious bee population.
Apiculture New Zealand has declared September ‘Bee Aware Month’ – which couldn’t be better timing for the ambitious project according to Cheryl.
“We’re excited that Newmarket Primary School students will be designing some ‘Pasture Paintings’ for Highwic in time for spring,” she says.
“The geometric organic plantings that transform passive green space into active green space, making them more productive for bees and other wildlife, are part of the For the Love of Bees tool kits that are being used across the city to provide safe food for bees. On September 28 students from Newmarket Primary School will start laying out their planting designs at Highwic.”
The high point will be on October 27 when the bees will be formally welcomed at Highwic, and the students will sow seeds into the shapes they have created in the orchard, eventually providing sustenance for the bees during spring and summer. It will also be good advance prep for Highwic’s Christmas Garden Festival (November 18-19).
“We’re looking forward to being part of the For the Love of Bees Project, and also partnering with the Tree Croppers Association on the orchard restoration project, and the Compost Collective in establishing Highwic as a compost hub,” says Cheryl.
This collaboration is being supported by Parnell Rotary and and Enviroschools, Sustainable Schools and Auckland Council. The drawing together of community groups is a key factor in the For the Love of Bees project.
“As well as supporting our bee population – and improving the overall quality of Highwic’s gardens, soil and orchard – we hope to show that a few key initiatives can have a really positive impact on our natural environment; and that everybody can make a difference.”
Highwic is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am-4.30pm. For more information visit heritage.org.nz
People can learn about other collaborations on their website, www.fortheloveofbees.co.nz
MEDIA RELEASE
Coming up – the Winter Wedding Fair at Highwic.
Winter Wedding Fair at Highwic
The historic mansion, which is cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, will host a Wedding Fair that will include some of the best wedding professionals in Auckland.
“Organising a wedding can be a daunting prospect, and the idea behind the Winter Wedding Fair is to make things as easy as possible for people planning to get married,” says Highwic’s Visitor Coordinator Samantha Keen, who has many years’ experience in planning weddings.
“People can come along for the day and talk to a range of people involved in different aspects of weddings. They can also enjoy exploring beautiful Highwic, and strolling in our four-star garden. We want to make the experience as pleasant as possible with none of the stress.”
Exhibitors include professional photographers, wedding cake-makers, wedding gowns and a lot more. Special discounts will also be available to people on the day.
Admission: $5 per person, pay at the door. Free entry before midday. For more information visit http://www.heritage.org.nz/news-and-events/events/winter-wedding-fair
MEDIA RELEASE
A sumptuous High Tea will be available in Highwic’s billiard house once again on July 8.
High Tea at Highwic
Discerning palates will be able to enjoy the delights of an authentic High Tea experience at Highwic, the historic Newmarket mansion cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
People can experience a traditional high tea of delightful sweet and savoury treats served on fine China and accompanied by a selection of specialty teas from Harney and Sons at the special one-off event.
“What better way for people to take a break from the mid-Winter gloom than to experience our new seasonal winter High Tea menu and enjoy the luxury of Highwic,” says Highwic Visitor Services Coordinator, Samantha Keen.
The High Tea event takes place over two sessions on July 8 (10.30am and 2.30pm). Cost: $45 per person (sorry no concessions).
