Tag: Media Statement

MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE NEED TO RETAIN THE THREATENED NG BUILDING From: Christchurch Civic Trust and Historic Places Canterbury.

18 March, 2021

MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE NEED TO RETAIN THE THREATENED NG BUILDING From: Christchurch Civic Trust and Historic Places Canterbury.

  1. The Christchurch Civic Trust (“CCT”) and Historic Places Canterbury (“HPC”) strongly support the retention of the historic NG building, 212 Madras St. “Our primary aim is to see this important heritage building retained for the city’s future,” said Mark Gerrard, Chair of HPC.
  2. Professor Chris Kissling, Chair of CCT said “We object to the fate of the building being a matter subject to special post-earthquakes legislation by which normal RMA democratic process is bypassed. Much to the detriment of democracy and the city, this approach was freely used by the National-led government and now, in several other instances by the Labour government.”
  3. “The NG building was not included at the time CCDU was compulsorily acquiring properties in the Madras St area,” continued Dr Kissling. “Owners Roland Logan and Sharon Ng have shown incredible determination in retaining, earthquake strengthening and fully restoring this wonderful building. It will be manifestly unfair if LINZ does not honour the promise CERA made to them that their building would not be included at a later date in the acquisitions and that the historic building was capable of being incorporated in the design of the all-purpose arena”. He noted that the NG Boutique Café and Gallery was awarded a Category A Award in the Christchurch Civic Trust Annual Awards in 2009. “We are proud to continue our support for this building and its owners Roland Logan and Sharon Ng in their hour of need”.
  4. “We appeal to the Minister for LINZ Hon Damien O’Connor to intervene and direct his ministry to act in good faith towards the owners”, Chris Kissling continued. Kissling and Gerrard are appalled that ten tears after the earthquake event, strong-arm government action is still being used to deny public participation, bypassing the RMA. “We would like to remind the Government that in opposition firstly Grant Robertson and then Jacinda Ardern, as spokespersons for heritage, were vocal in their condemnation of the National-led government’s ‘scorched earth’ treatment of post-quake Christchurch heritage, including the widespread use of the s38 and the compulsory acquisition of inner-city sites for various redevelopment projects.”
  5. CCT and HPC wholeheartedly support members of the public who have written to The Press urging the designers to exercise their utmost creativity to ensure that the building becomes an integral part of the complex. Retention and integration of the distinctive exterior and wonderful interior, complete with its original kauri match lining walls and kauri flooring, would provide a vivid link to this site’s past and a shining example of how old and new can co-exist. It is an important reminder of the commercial buildings of the past which are all too rare in the city.
  1. TheChristchurchCityCouncildocument‘OurHeritage,OurTaonga–HeritageStrategy 2019 – 29’ shows that context and function are important parts of what constitutes ‘heritage’; this building was a key part of the commercial urban fabric of the city for well over 100 years and it stands as one of the very few survivors in this part of the city. From the document: Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner, Introduction p4 “Our heritage is precious and valuable. It has social, cultural, educational, recreational and commercial benefits. It contributes to our cultural wellbeing and brings visitors to the district.” Executive Summary P 10: “We have always shown pride in our heritage, and have a long history of striving to protect it. The loss of our heritage buildings and places as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes changed Christchurch forever. ... It has also raised awareness of the importance of retaining our remaining built heritage as being vital to the district’s identity.” (our emphasis)
  2. “Intheextremelyregrettableeventofitbeingdeemedabsolutelyimpossibleto incorporate the NG building into the stadium, HPC and CCT would fully support relocation to a nearby site, if requested by the owners, who have investigated means by which this could be achieved,” said Mark Gerrard. He notes that Murray Strong, Chair of the arena’s project delivery company appears to be very interested in the possibility of a location move for the building. “Heritage New Zealand Poutere Taonga and Christchurch City Council Heritage Team would need to be fully involved in this process,” Gerrard added.
  3. RossGray,DeputyChairofbothgroupssaid,“Withclimatechangeinmind,wewishto draw attention to the part the retention of existing building stock can and should play in mitigating the effects of climate change. The adage that ‘the greenest building is the one standing’ has unfortunately not been a guideline for the treatment of heritage buildings post-Canterbury earthquakes.”
  4. “Cement production alone accounts for about 8% of global CO2 emissions. As it is, the destruction of AMI stadium and the construction of the enormous new covered all-purpose arena will incur a heavy environmental toll. The retention of the embodied energy of the building along with the retention of its invaluable historic record should be regarded as essential and complementary aspects of the development of this new Christchurch facility,” Gray said.

10. Christchurch Civic Trust and Historic Places Canterbury urge all parties to work together to achieve a win-win for heritage, sport and culture – and for the environment.

Media Contact: Ross Gray 021 206 3620

CPT to receive re-allocated heritage money from Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust for Cenotaph relocation – MEDIA STATEMENT FROM CCT, RCC, HPC, ICON 10.07.19

MEDIA STATEMENT FROM CCT, RCC, HPC, ICON 10.07.19 

 The Christchurch Civic Trust, Restore Christchurch Cathedral Group Inc, Historic Places Canterbury and ICON are shocked and appalled that part of the re-allocated fund of at least $1.5m for heritage from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust has been awarded to the Anglican Church Property Trustees (CPT) for the relocation of the undamaged Citizens’ War Memorial. 

 At a CCC full council meeting on 27.09.18 these organisations presented vigorous opposition to the proposed Cenotaph relocation (presentations attached) and maintain their opposition. 

 To award uncontested for a purpose yet to be scrutinised through a required public consent procedure shows an arrogant disregard for process and transparency which threatens to undermine the existing goodwill and support for the Cathedral’s restoration. 

 It appears possible that a decision to provide CPT with assistance to remove the Cenotaph from its land was in fact made privately many months ago: if so, this demands the closest public scrutiny. 

 The attached submissions show that the Citizens’ War Memorial is an incredibly significant protected public monument and legally and morally cannot be subject to the whim of either the CPT or the RSA. 

 Note: the conditions set by the CCC for submissions to present deputations on the relocation of the Cenotaph strongly excluded discussion about potential relocation sites (even although the RSA had clearly and publicly already made its preference for Cranmer Square widely known): this is why the attached submissions do not refer to locations – Cranmer Square in particular – much as the submitters had wanted to at the time! 

Ross Gray Deputy Chair Christchurch Civic Trust and Historic Places Canterbury

Mark Belton Co-Chair Restore Christchurch Cathedral Group Inc

Neil Roberts Immediate Past Chair ICON

CCC-War-Memorial-Deputation-CCT-and-HPC-Ross-GrayDownload
ICON-DEPUTATION-ON-27-SEPTEMBER-2018Download
ICON-DEPUTATION-ON-27-SEPTEMBER-2018-1Download

“Earthquake-prone buildings changes to help provinces” RNZ News online

"... The Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa announced the change, in Feilding this morning.

She says the changes will make it easier for owners of such buildings in small towns to undertake modest building work, without having to start seismic strengthening work at the same time. ..."

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/394330/earthquake-prone-buildings-changes-to-help-provinces

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga “Properties open FREE on Waitangi Day!”- HNZPT Media Release. (01:02:19)

Seventeen Heritage New Zealand properties are ready to open their doors free of charge on the country’s national day, Waitangi Day, on 6 February.

Details are at the following link:
http://www.heritage.org.nz/news-and-events/events/waitangi-day-free-entry

As Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Chief Executive Andrew Coleman said 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 Pākehā interaction and the progression to the multicultural society we are today in a family, fun and inclusive way,” says Andrew.

A special, 20 page publication about the Treaty of Waitangi will be available free of charge (until stocks last) at each property.  All the properties open on Waitangi Day will feature in the publication, along with pieces on the Treaty of Waitangi at a glance, a map of New Zealand showing where the nine versions of the Treaty travelled around the country in 1840 – from Waitangi in the Far North to Ruapuke Island in the Deep South, and a summary of the document Tapuwae – Heritage New Zealand’s vision for Māori heritage.

Most properties will also have an exhibition of New Zealand flags and a copy of the Treaty of Waitangi on display.

Heritage EQUIP Fund: Mark Gerrard Chair Historic Places Canterbury Media Statement.

Heritage EQUIP Fund Announcement.

Mark Gerrard Chair of Historic Places Canterbury has made the following Media Statements.

“Minister Barry’s announcement is an important first step in the preserving of the earthquake prone heritage buildings in our cities and the mainstreets of our rural towns.”

“The Heritage Community are pleased the Minister has included at risk Heritage New Zealand Cat 2 buildings. Many of our rural towns mainstreams are populated with Heritage New Zealand Cat 2 Buildings.”

"This is an important first step and we look forward to future announcements, from Minister Barry, that will ensure these heritage treasures on our rural mainstreets and cities are preserved for future generations.”

 

The Heritage of Sport – World Heritage Day Monday 18th April (2016) James Blackburne President HPA Media Statement

Celebrating New Zealand’s Sporting Heritage

Communities around the country are being asked to consider important sport sites and events that took place in their regions as part of celebrating World Heritage Day next Monday 18th  April.

With a focus this year on the Heritage of Sport, Historic Places Aotearoa and its Membership Organisations asks locals to consider which sports site or ground they would like to keep as part of their, and New Zealand’s, sporting heritage.

Historic Places Aotearoa President James Blackburne says that with sport a big part of life for most Kiwis, World Heritage Day is a great chance to celebrate our great sporting achievements and the heritage of the grounds where it all happened.

“We know Kiwis love to discuss sport. We can keep our sporting heritage alive by debating and recognising those sports grounds and stadiums where an outstanding sports achievement became our collective history."

“For World Heritage Day next Monday, Historic Places Aotearoa  urges local media to ask the community – including the mayor, councillors, sports journalists and sports commentators – to nominate a sports ground worth preserving and tell us what special sporting achievement occurred there.”
James Blackburne President Historic Places Aotearoa

Earthquake-prone Buildings Policy Announcement: Bruce Chapman C.E.O. N.Z.H.P.T. Media Statement

NZHPT letterhead logoBruce Chapman (C.E.O N.Z.H.P.T.) has generously made available the text of  his "Earthquake-prone Buildings Policy Announcement" Media Statement.

"The timeframes for national historic landmarks and Category 1 historic places provide owners with the opportunity to plan for both assessing their properties, where this hasn't already been done, and to explore options for funding this work. (more…)