Tag: Historic Places Aotearoa

Historic Places Aotearoa : Submission On Building Amendment Bill (2018)

The following is the text of the Historic Places Aotearoa Submission to the Building Amendment Bill:

Patron: Dame Anne Salmond, DBR, FRSNZ, FBA
2013 New Zealander of the Year

25th October 2018

Ministry of Building, Innovation and the Employment
PO Box 1473,
Wellington 6140

Submission on
BUILDING AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction

This submission is made by Historic Places Aotearoa Inc. (HPA) which welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Building Amendment Bill.

The reasons for making this submission are that HPA promotes the preservation of historic places in Aotearoa New Zealand. HPA also has an interest to promote the education of the public in the appreciation of heritage values. HPA is a key stakeholder in the consultation process and answerable to its affiliated regional societies and associated membership.

HPA has reviewed the Building Amendment Bill and considered the impact the proposed amendments will make on heritage buildings.

HPA has a particular interest in the subject of this Bill, for the merits of the sustainable urban quality and distinctive character of New Zealand cities and towns.

Too often demolition of heritage building post disaster is seen as the only solution to public protection. Other countries deal with heritage buildings in a more considered manner. Italy for example have teams of trained experts that will shore up damaged heritage buildings post natural disasters. This enables heritage and structural assessments to be made on a more considered basis.

It will be important that New Zealand trains people who are competent to make decisions with respect to heritage buildings and structures following an emergency situation and can either be, or assist the “responsible person” who is exercising their powers in the designated area under the proposed revisions to the Building Act.

HPA is generally supportive of the proposals in the consultation document as they try to strike a balance between the risk to life, the built historical environment and public / private rights during the difficult periods associated with managing buildings after an emergency and to provide for investigating building failures.

General comments:

In New Zealand under the current heritage management and protection systems, not all heritage is listed with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT). Much of the country’s heritage is scheduled under each of the various district plans.

For the purposes of this amendment, consideration needs to be given to acknowledging the significance of heritage listed buildings in the heritage lists of district plans, as required under the RMA, as well as those on the HNZPT National Historic Landmarks list and the HNZPT category one list.

In most cities there are examples of significant heritage buildings scheduled in the local territorial authority (TA) plans that are not listed by HNZPT or have been listed as Category II items. This may be due to HNZPT budget constraints, lack of information when buildings were initially assessed. (more…)

Historic Places Canterbury In The News: “Heritage advocates want more historic buildings to be protected from demolition in emergencies” (Stuff Online Article)

Heritage advocates want more historic buildings to be protected from demolition in emergencies (Stuff online article)

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/108733704/heritage-advocates-want-more-historic-buildings-to-be-protected-from-demolition-i

"Heritage advocates, Historic Places Aotearoa, want more heritage buildings to be protected from demolition in emergencies, its submission on the Building Amendment Bill says.

The bill, currently at select committee, adds emergency powers to and amends the Building Act 2004 to improve systems for managing damaged dangerous buildings in emergencies and for investigating building failures.

It protects category one buildings and wahi tupuna, places of significance to Maori, listed with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT) from demolition in emergencies without ministerial approval."

"Historic Places Aotearoa, and a member organisation Historic Places Canterbury, want the protection in the bill widened to include top tier or highly significant heritage buildings scheduled in territorial authorities' district plans.' "

"(Director of policy Rebecca O'Brien) HNZPT is pleased at the provisions proposed to date and the progress they represent in providing appropriate protection for New Zealand's heritage.

However, Historic Places Aotearoa (HPA) and Historic Places Canterbury, disagree

HPA said too often demolition was seen as the only solution to public protection after a disaster.

It was the territorial authorities' heritage schedules that had standing under the Resource Management Act.

The bill's proposals might set aside RMA processes in emergencies, so it was essential the schedules were considered in the bill's proposals, HPA argued."

 

“The Political Election Landscape for Heritage
”- HPA Exec Member Denis Pilkington Gave A Presentation To The HPA AGM On What Was Being Offered 
To The Heritage Voter At The 2017 Election.

I was asked to check out the various political party manifestos to see what was on offer during the election campaign. Heritage appears to be a fairly minor issue in the election process as it was not mentioned at all by United Future, it received a passing comment by ACT, NZ First offered a one line policy and there was only slightly more from National and while the policies from Labour and the Greens were a little more detailed they are both quite brief. (more…)

Historic Places Aotearoa AGM 2018- Speech Given On Behalf Of The Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern

Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern has generously released the notes of the speech, given on her behalf, by Hon Iain Lees-Galloway  to the Historic Places Aotearoa AGM 2018.

It’s a pleasure to be here today on behalf of the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, among so many passionate advocates for the heritage sector.
And what better location for discussing historic places than here at Caccia Birch House – a wonderful example of New Zealand’s regional heritage and a building that is steeped in the history of Palmerston North.

Winston Churchill once said “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us”.

I think this perfectly sums up our relationship to our built heritage in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Every historic site tells a story, and when seen together these stories form part of our collective idea about who we are as a nation.

I want to assure you today that this Government is taking heritage seriously. (more…)

HPA AGM 2018 @ PALMERSTON NORTH: THE DETAILS 

HPA AGM 2018 @ PALMERSTON NORTH: THE DETAILS 

The 2018 Annual General Meeting of
Historic Places Aotearoa Inc. is to be held in Palmerston North on Saturday, 13th October. 

The venue is Caccia-Birch House, 130 Te Awe Awe St, Palmerston North. 

Details off the programme and accommodation recommendations are being worked through at present and will be advised shortly. 

HPA AGM 2017: PROGRAMME OF AGM WEEKEND EVENTS Timaru, 3 – 5 November, 2017 Hosted by the South Canterbury Historical Society

Patron: Dame Anne Salmond, DBR, FRSNZ, FBA 2013 New Zealander of the Year

PROGRAMME OF AGM WEEKEND EVENTS
Timaru, 3 - 5 November, 2017
Hosted by the South Canterbury Historical Society (more…)

John Daniels – A Long and Distinguished Career In Heritage Protection

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of John Daniels.

John Daniels

John Daniels, was the first Chairman of Historic Places Wellington when it was launched in 2012, and stepped down from the committee earlier this year.

John joined the Wellington Branch Committee of Historic Places Trust in 2011 in order to assist with the challenging task of changing that committee to a fully independent nongovernmental organisation as was required by the Government legislation which was subsequently passed as Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014. Over these difficult few years John had primary responsibility for shaping the role HPW would take and its relationship with the national body of Historic Places Aotearoa, as well as engaging with the Government on the heritage legislation. John stepped down from the chairmanship after passage of the legislation but took over the job of Treasurer for the next two years.

John was subsequently appointed to the Executive of Historic Places Aotearoa where he was a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.  He has assisted with the preparation of a number of HPA policies and documents during his time on the Executive and we missed him when he resigned at the 2017 AGM, although he continued to assist when called upon.

As many will know, John’s career in heritage work has been a long and distinguished one.  His early civil service career was mainly in the Department of Internal Affairs, where he served inter alia as Senior Research Officer.  Alongside his work, he was active in archaeology, joining the Wellington Archaeological Society and being the Site Recording Scheme central file keeper for some 14 years. He was also a Council Member of the NZ Archaeological Association and a member of the Onslow Historic Society. In 1971 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Historic Places Trust (now Heritage New Zealand) and served in that capacity for 17 years, retiring in 1988.  In retirement he did some contract work on heritage issues as well as voluntary work as a committee member and also chairman of the Friends of the Bolton Street Cemetery. John’s wealth of experience in heritage work has been a huge asset for Historic Places Wellington and he will be greatly missed.

John will be sadly missed by the heritage fraternity and we all have some rather large boots to fill.

Our thoughts go out to John's  family.

Regards

JAMES BLACKBURNE  President Historic Places Aotearoa

Oculus June 2018 Is Out!

HPA Newsletter Oculus June 2018 has ben released.

It contains:

Details on the Public Liability Insurance  Coverage HPA has negotiated for the HPA Membership Organisations.

James Blackburne, President of HPA, updates on the working relationships with other Heritage Organisations and the work they are undertaking collectively.

Oculus can be obtained fresh from your local HPA Membership Organisation!!!