ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MARGARET STANLEY, UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND ON THE URBAN FOREST - Thursday 13th June 2019 Margaret Stanley, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, has broad ecological interests and her research group has covered a menagerie of organisms, from invasive ants, weeds and feral pigs, to urban trees and birds. Her research aims to understand and mitigate the impacts of people on biodiversity, particularly the impacts of invasive species and urban development. When: Thursday 13th June 2019 at 6.30pm 

Where: Remuera Library, 429 Remuera Road, Remuera

REMUERA HERITAGE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Friday 10TH May 2019 

Book this date – the speaker Mary Donald, Archivist & Oral Historian on the Remuera oral history programme at the Remuera Library

As many residents know, changes to zoning, parking availability, and public transport have impacted, in recent times, on the popularity and attractiveness of our main shopping centre on Remuera Road. There is a vision, however, for a more active, alive and atmospheric experience that will improve visitation and utilisation of our Town Centre. 

Commercial building owners have a part to play, and many opportunities exist to create innovative and practical enhancements that will develop Remuera into a destination of choice – not only for local residents, but also for those from further afield. 

Come and hear how potential developments centred on the Clonbern Road carpark can be a catalyst for that change. Adrian Barkla, operator of Remuera New World and Chairman of the Remuera Business Association, has agreed to address our meeting and share his insights on the progress towards the vision for a vibrant Remuera. Part of the meeting will be taken to canvas the views and aspirations of residents present, and in that way provide an opportunity to shape the future of our Town Centre.

When: Thursday 11 April at 7.30pm

Where: Remuera Library

Read more here.

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TILL LATER IN THE YEAR

Peter Cropper will present his book: “The Croppers: Merchants and Engineers", published in 2018. 

His family formed the New Zealand company Neill, Cropper & Co. which was innovative in introducing many new products to New Zealand and was involved with major New Zealand companies over the last 100 years. The Cropper family lived at Te Araroa, 7 St Vincent Avenue, Remuera. 

WHERE: Remuera Library Come and hear this author talk - a joint presentation with Remuera Library and Remuera Heritage

$5.00 for refreshments. 

Please RSVP to the Library or to events@remueraheritage.org.nz 

John and Katherine Strevens wish to invite members of Remuera Heritage to a function on Sunday 31st March from 2.30 pm at their historic listed home “St Ann’s” at 43 Arney Rd Remuera. 

There will be drinks plus sandwiches on the lawn and also the opportunity to look at the main reception rooms of the house. To assist catering requirements and to enable the preparation of name badges in advance, please RSVP to john@strevens.co.nz or at phone 09 5200505 no later than 28th March. 

If you are on our mailing list and are not currently a member, you can join now and your subscription will cover you for the year April 1 2019 to March 2020. To join please contact Stuart Hayman on secremher18@gmail.com or credit $25 for individual or $40 for family to our account 06 0257 0198761 00 with your surname as reference and email your full name and contact details to Stuart. You can check out the details here http://www.remueraheritage.co.nz/become-a-member

Image: St Ann's, Arney Road. 1960s. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 435-C5-51

• In the Orakei Local Board area Dingle Dell and Waiatarua Reserve are possibly infected with kauri dieback disease. 

* New Zealand kauri (Agathis Australis) is a keynote tropical species for New Zealand. It is one of a group of conifer species which survived the breakup of Gondwanaland – 17 other species depend on the kauri ecosystem. There is 1% of unlogged kauri left. Regrowth has increased this to 3%. There is however very little genetic diversity. 

• Kauri can survive with very poor soil on the forest floor, but need their forest litter (dropped branches and leaves) to form a 10cm mulch to provide nutrients to their shallow root system which extends three times the distance beyond the dripline of the tree to 30 metres. The roots hate compaction and it’s very easy to walk on them and infect because we clear away the rotting vegetation in our gardens. 

• Kauri dieback is a new disease, about 50-70 years old. Did it come back from WW2 on the boots of soldiers returning from the Pacific? Or did it develop in the N Z Forest Service Sweetwater nursery in the Waipoua forest and get planted in existing forests? 

• The genetic work still needs to be happen. Kauri science is still relatively new. Neither DOC nor MPI have funded any scientific research into native kauri. 

• Kauri dieback disease is caused by a microscopic soil-borne pathogen Phytophthora agathidida (PA). PA also caused the potato blight and has also attacked avocado trees, tanekaha and rewarewa. PA is killing jarrah trees in Western Australia, as well as 250 other species. 

• The PA pathogen damages the tree’s roots, reducing its ability to take water and nutrients from the soil and transport it throughout the plant. PA spores can live on boots and tools for years, and come alive when contact is made with rain or water. Cleaning stations only work on dry walking tracks. 

• One million people p.a. go into the Waitakere Ranges, walking on kauri roots and mud. The Auckland Council Natural Environment Targeted Rate provides funds to revive and prevent 8-19% of kauri trees in the Waitakere Ranges. Kauri trees are now quarantined. The Hunua Ranges are also closed. 

• Avocado trees have been treated using phosphite, and this is being injected into kauri trees to see if this can delay dieback disease. 

• Auckland Council is the only council to have surveyed the parks in 2015 and 2015. Kauri dieback disease is primarily along the walking tracks, with the main infected areas being Piha and Cascades areas. 50% of trees are within 50 metres of a walking track, which have not been maintained. 

• Kauri dieback disease is a ‘root rot’ disease. There is no cure for kauri dieback disease which kills most if not all of the kauri it infects. The disease is spread through soil movement, by human activity, as well as deer, pigs and goats in rural areas. 

• A citizen science project is underway to have 50 landowners treat their own diseased trees. There is no cure for kauri dieback. They get a $700 pack which includes phosphite. 

• The signs are bleeding sticky gum near the roots of the tree which is an attempt by the tree to stop the pathogen coming in. The tree bleeds sideways and ring barks the tree, starving the canopies so that the leaves drop off. It is not known if injections of phosphite will work long-term – is a science issue. 

• Lots of volunteers are available to help in local parks and gardens. It is important to mulch the roots, stop mowing and keep people away, leaving the branches and leaves to drop on the roots. 

• Astelia trinervia (Kauri grass) http://www.terrain.net.nz/friends-of-te-henui-group/new-plant-page/astelia-trinervia-kauri-grass.html is a common constituent of kauri forest of Northern New Zealand and may help protect the tree trunks. 

• Infected areas have no seedlings – no resistant trees have been found yet, so the continued threat level is very high. 

• For more information see https://www.kauridieback.co.nz/ on how to protect our natural heritage. https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/plants-animals/pests-weeds/Pages/protect-our-kauri-trees.aspx 

See also - Proposed kauri dieback mitiga tion in local parks in the Ōrākei Local Board area: File No.: CP2019/02436. http://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2019/03/OR_20190321_AGN_7723_AT_WEB.htm

This was the content of a talk by Dr Mels Barton who works with works with many community organisations and not-for-profits including The Tree Council, Friends of Regional Parks, Revive Our Gulf and Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand. She is Chair of both the Titirangi Residents & Ratepayers Association and the Combined Waitākere Ranges R&R Group and is a former Trustee of Ecomatters Environment Trust and the Weedfree Trust. She has been the National and Auckland Coordinator of NZAEE Seaweek since 2011 and is a leading member of the Waitākere Rāhui campaign and the Kauri Rescue project team.

DR MELS BARTON OF THE TREE COUNCIL ON SAVING AUCKLAND’S NATURAL HERITAGE AND FIGHTING KAURI DIEBACK DISEASE – Thursday 21st March 2019 

An environmental scientist turned coordinator, campaigner, organiser, networker and environmental advocate, Mels works with many community organisations and not-for-profits including The Tree Council, Friends of Regional Parks, Revive Our Gulf and Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand. She is Chair of both the Titirangi Residents & Ratepayers Association and the Combined Waitākere Ranges R&R Group and is a former Trustee of Ecomatters Environment Trust and the Weedfree Trust. She has been the National and Auckland Coordinator of NZAEE Seaweek since 2011 and is a leading member of the Waitākere Rāhui campaign and the Kauri Rescue project team. 

When: Thursday 21st March 2019 at 6.30pm 

Where: Remuera Library, 429 Remuera Road, Remuera

Purewa Cemetery is setting up a Friends of Purewa who will help explore the history and stories of Purewa which was founded in 1889 by the Anglican Church. There is already a list of Notable Graves on their website, and the trust is looking to research the graves, introduce guided walks and tours. Anyone interested in joining the friends to help with this initiative can contact Sue Cooper on: Friends@purewa.co.nz

The N Z History Federation has forwarded details of a petition to the government by the N Z History Teachers’ Association to “pass legislation that would make compulsory the coherent teaching of our own past across appropriate year levels in our schools, with professional development and resources to do so provided.” Let’s get New Zealand history properly taught. Over 2,500 people have signed the petition so far. The petition closes on the 31st March 2019 – you can find the petition here to have your say if you think it's a good idea to have New Zealand history taught in schools. 

DR MELS BARTON OF THE TREE COUNCIL ON SAVING AUCKLAND’S NATURAL HERITAGE AND FIGHTING KAURI DIEBACK DISEASE – Thursday 21st March 2019 

An environmental scientist turned coordinator, campaigner, organiser, networker and environmental advocate, Mels works with many community organisations and not-for-profits including The Tree Council, Friends of Regional Parks, Revive Our Gulf and Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand. She is Chair of both the Titirangi Residents & Ratepayers Association and the Combined Waitākere Ranges R&R Group and is a former Trustee of Ecomatters Environment Trust and the Weedfree Trust. She has been the National and Auckland Coordinator of NZAEE Seaweek since 2011 and is a leading member of the Waitākere Rāhui campaign and the Kauri Rescue project team. 

When: Thursday 21st March 2019 at 6.30pm 

Where: Remuera Library, 429 Remuera Road, Remuera

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MARGARET STANLEY, UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND, ON THE URBAN FOREST - Thursday 13th June 2019 

Margaret Stanley, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, has broad ecological interests and her research group has covered a menagerie of organisms, from invasive ants, weeds and feral pigs, to urban trees and birds. Her research aims to understand and mitigate the impacts of people on biodiversity, particularly the impacts of invasive species and urban development. 

When: Thursday 13th June 2019 at 6.30pm 

Where: Remuera Library, 429 Remuera Road, Remuera

REMUERA HERITAGE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Friday 10^TH May 2019

Book this date – the speaker will be Mary Donald, Archivist & Oral Historian on the Remuera oral history programme

FRIENDS OF PUREWA - ARE YOU INTERESTED IN EXPLORING CEMETERIES?

Purewa Cemetery is setting up a Friends of Purewa who will help explore the history and stories of Purewa which was founded in 1889 by the Anglican Church. There is already a list of Notable Graves on their website, and the trust is looking to research the graves, introduce guided walks and tours. Anyone interested in joining the friends to help with this initiative can contact Sue Cooper on: Friends@purewa.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND HISTORY - SHOULD IT BE COMPULSORY IN SCHOOLS?

The N Z History Federation has forwarded details of a petition to the government by the N Z History Teachers’ Association to “pass legislation that would make compulsory the coherent teaching of our own past across appropriate year levels in our schools, with professional development and resources to do so provided.” Let’s get New Zealand history properly taught. Over 2,500 people have signed the petition so far. The petition closes on the 31st March 2019 – you can find the petition here if you think it's a good idea to have New Zealand history taught in schools. 

ST KENTIGERN TO SELL REMUERA ROAD CAMPUS, THE FORMER CORRAN SCHOOL

St Kentigern plans to sell the Remuera Road campus which accommodates its pre-school and girls’ primary school, ahead of a move to its Shore Road campus in Remuera. St Kentigern had taken over the old Corran private girls' school at 514 Remuera Rd in a 2009 merger. The pre-school will remain at Remuera Rd until the end of 2022 when the new buildings will be ready at Shore Road. The history of Corran School is very much part of Remuera’s history – read more about the history here. 

IN MEMORIAM

Michael Horwood died on 14 December 2018 at the age of 84. Remuera Heritage spoke with Michael on 14 October 2014 about his memories of growing up in Remuera and of the Remuera shops. Michael Horwood was the owner of Peppercorn kitchenware shop in the 1980s and 90s. Click Here to Read More

Judith Preston Anderson died in early February in Yorkshire England. She had visited New Zealand and gave talks at St Aidan’s Church, Parnell Heritage and the Remuera Library on Margaret Moxon's furniture. Margaret Moxon (from Hull) was the wife of Reverend George Adam Kissling who was the first Vicar of St Mary's Parnell. There will be a memorial service for Judith at St Aidan's on Monday March 11 at 1pm.

Margaret Coutts, a previous owner of Coolangatta, Remuera Road, has died aged 95.

Visit www.remueraheritage.org.nz  -  for more information about Remuera Heritage and the heritage and history of Remuera, including places, people, and events. 

See our Facebook page also. Please "Like" us! https://www.facebook.com/remueraheritage/ Email us at info@remueraheritage.org.nz

As many residents know, changes to zoning, parking availability, and public transport have impacted, in recent times, on the popularity and attractiveness of our main shopping centre on Remuera Road. There is a vision, however, for a more active, alive and atmospheric experience that will improve visitation and utilisation of our Town Centre. 

Commercial building owners have a part to play, and many opportunities exist to create innovative and practical enhancements that will develop Remuera into a destination of choice – not only for local residents, but also for those from further afield. 

Come and hear how potential developments centred on the Clonbern Road carpark can be a catalyst for that change. Adrian Barkla, operator of Remuera New World and Chairman of the Remuera Business Association, has agreed to address our meeting and share his insights on the progress towards the vision for a vibrant Remuera. Part of the meeting will be taken to canvas the views and aspirations of residents present, and in that way provide an opportunity to shape the future of our Town Centre.

When: Thursday 11 April at 7.30pm

Where: Remuera Library

Read more here.

The N Z History Federation has forwarded details of a petition to the government by the N Z History Teachers’ Association to “pass legislation that would make compulsory the coherent teaching of our own past across appropriate year levels in our schools, with professional development and resources to do so provided.” Let’s get New Zealand history properly taught. Over 2,500 people have signed the petition so far. The petition closes on the 31st March 2019 – you can find the petition here to have your say if you think it's a good idea to have New Zealand history taught in schools. 

Remuera Heritage is submitting on Auckland Council's draft Ten Year Plan and also the Auckland Plan and we encourage all members to make their own submissions on both plans. Submissions are due by 8pm on 28 March. Get a copy of the paper Have Your say form from the Remuera library or go online to akhaveyoursay.co.nz 

10 Year Plan Budget / Long Term Plan 

 There is nothing included for Remuera in the 10 year plan or budget. 

1. Community facilities:  

a. Remuera needs a community centre to service its diverse community needs with a focus on the town centre and the library. There are only 2 community facilities in Remuera – the Remuera Library and 4 Victoria Avenue which houses the CAB and Plunket. There are no rooms available for hire at the current facility at 4 Victoria Avenue, the future of which is very uncertain. 

b. Remuera is a substantial size district with a diverse population of 28,000. It has a large long-established town centre. There is a need to service a large area with a growing diverse community, focused on the town centre 

c. Proceeds from any sale of Victoria Avenue should be reinvested in the Remuera community – in a Remuera community centre in the Remuera town centre. 

2. Village Green and buildings: It is unclear what is happening to the Village Green area at the back of the shops. The brick buildings were the original Remuera Roads Board office and works depot, and then Remuera’s first fire station. We would like to know about the redevelopment, intensification, any loss of heritage buildings and green space (the Village Green) – the Remuera community needs to be kept informed.

3. Ohinerau/Mt Hobson: Remuera Heritage supports the Tūpuna Maunga Authority’s proposed management plan and operational plan for Ohinerau Mt Hobson, focusing on upgraded paths and signage, pest control and regular vegetation management and maintenance. Also important for Remuera Heritage is the preservation of the memorials to the Remuera service men and women who served in WW2 – this includes the daffodils on the northern slope. 

4. Cultural Heritage: The 10 year plan budget also needs to include increased budget for key Auckland cultural heritage institutions – Auckland Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, MOTAT and the Sir George Grey Special Collections at Auckland Libraries. They all have urgent need for improved infrastructure to meet visitor needs and protection of collections over the next 10 to 20 years. 

In particular, all Auckland Councillors must support Mayor Phil Goff's proposal of the 1 February 2018 to increase the Auckland Art Gallery's funding by $20m over the next ten years as part of the LTP. We request this amount is targeted for the Auckland Art Gallery when the annual Auckland Council distribution is made to Regional Facilities Auckland. 

Auckland Plan 2020-2050 

Remuera Heritage is submitting on the draft Auckland Plan and we encourage all members to make their own submission. Submissions are due by 8pm on 28 March. 

Our main concern is that the draft plan does not have a chapter on historic heritage or arts and culture, including cultural heritage. The previous Auckland Plan’s chapter 4 consists of 14 pages about the importance of the city’s historic heritage and the need to protect it. 

Page 8 of this chapter states: “On behalf of the community, the Auckland Council will continue to develop initiatives to ensure innovation, good practice and improved heritage outcomes.” It is important to submit that the chapter on historic heritage be put back into the plan. You can also ask that Focus Area 4 be amended to “Protect Auckland’s significant environments, cultural and historic heritage from further loss” and that Outcome 5 be amended to “Environment, Cultural and Historic Heritage.” 

Also ask for a reinstatement of the previous plan’s definition in the glossary of cultural heritage as: “The legacy of tangible heritage resources and intangible attributes that are inherited from past generations. Heritage includes historic heritage, taonga tuku iho (heirlooms), and other forms of heritage such as books, works of art, artefacts, beliefs, traditions, language and knowledge”.

Community Meeting on 22 March: “Have Your Say” 

Remuera Residents Association Community Meeting: “Have Your Say” 

 When: 7.00pm, Thursday 22 March 

 Where: Remuera Library  

The meeting will traverse the issues raised by the content of Auckland Council’s proposed 10 year Budget and the draft Auckland Plan 2050. All residents will have received the feedback form (within the March Our Auckland monthly magazine) which needs to completed by 28 March. There are many issues that are of concern and worthy of discussion. 

Ask questions of your Local Board member, hear the opinions of fellow residents, and form your own views based on this interaction. The real issues will be highlighted for you to consider, including the future of 4 Victoria Avenue and why there is little mention of historic heritage in the Auckland Plan– the evening should greatly assist your expression of feedback to the Council at this important consultation opportunity. 

We suggest you bring the feedback form with you – if you have not already submitted it. Have your say. For further information call – 524 2602

You can read the Remuera Heritage submission here.

Remuera Eastern Bays Citizens Advice Bureau: Public Information Evening 

Public Information Evening: Trees, Fences, and Boundaries 

When: 6.30pm, Tuesday 20 March 

Where: Remuera Library 

 ALL WELCOME.

TEN YEAR PLAN BUDGET– Remuera issues

The Mayor has a goal that Auckland is a great place to live. “While our focus must necessarily be on creating the infrastructure needed for transport accessibility and housing and a clean environment, we will not overlook other things that make this region a desirable place to live. Within the constraints of our resources, we need to promote the innovation, diversity, inclusiveness, cultural and recreational facilities that make Auckland a great place.” 

1. Community facilities: Remuera is a substantial district and town centre with a large population of approx. 28,000 in 2018, (57% European, 38% Asian, 2% Maori, 2% Pacific). Many of the shops in the town centre go back 100 years but the town centre is changing and needs a community centre and heart. 45% of Remuera South people were born overseas, compared with 39.1 percent for Auckland as a whole. Remuera needs a community centre to service its diverse community needs with a focus on the town centre and the library. Often the Remuera library staff are asked if they have space for hire. When a public meeting is held in the Remuera library, the staff have to return at 8 or 9pm at night to lock up. Community groups in Remuera are forced to go outside the area to meet as halls in churches and schools in Remuera are busy during the days and often lack access and security at night.  

There is a lack of transparency around the future of 4 Victoria Avenue, which houses the CAB and Plunket. The CAB may be moving to St Luke’s Church near Newmarket. There is speculation that the council will sell 4 Victoria Avenue and put the money into the rebuild of the Meadowbank Community Centre. Unlike Meadowbank which has 2 community facilities for hire – the Meadowbank Community Centre and Tahapa Crescent Hall, Remuera has only 2 community facilities, the Remuera Library and 4 Victoria Avenue. which have no rooms available for hire.

The council may seek to develop the Meadowbank Community Centre from the sale of 4 Victoria Avenue, but there will be a loss and a cost to the Remuera ratepayer. If the council sells 4 Victoria Avenue, the proceeds should be reinvested in the Remuera community in the form of a Remuera community centre near the library. Remuera Heritage is looking for a space to own or rent and to be able to display its resources – we would support a local community centre. We ask that any funds from a sale of 4 Victoria Avenue be targeted for the benefit of the Remuera community – in Remuera. 

The Orakei Local Board has also looked at the redevelopment of the Glendowie Community Centre – this is only 2 kms from the St Heliers Community Centre. The Meadowbank Community Centre is 2.9 kms from 4 Victoria Avenue – Remuera is large enough to deserve its own community centre.  Panmure will also benefit from a multi-million investment from the sale of $100million+ worth of council property in Panmure.(East & Bays Courier, March 6 2018)

NB: The population figures given in the Meadowbank, Remuera, Orakei Community Needs Assessment (Mobius, 20 July 2017) are not geographically exact and grossly underrepresent the population of Remuera. The segments used of Remuera West and Remuera South from the 2013 Census do not even share a common boundary. If all Remuera segments are used (Remuera West, Remuera South, Waiata, Waitaramoa, Mt Hobson, Orakei South, Abbotts Park), Remuera’s population is 2.1 times the population of Meadowbank South and Meadowbank North. If St John’s and Stonefields are included in the Meadowbank calculation, then Remuera’s population is approx. 1.5 times the population of Meadowbank. Either way, Remuera has by far the bigger population than Meadowbank. (See attached table). 

2. Council carpark: It is also unclear what is happening to the council carpark on Clonbern Rd. Rumours abound of redevelopment, intensification, loss of heritage buildings, loss of green space (the Village Green) – the Remuera community needs to be kept informed. 

3. Ohinerau/Mt Hobson: Remuera Heritage supports the Tupuna Maunga Authority’s proposed management plan and operational plan for Ohinerau Mt Hobson, focusing on upgraded paths and signage, pest control and regular vegetation management and maintenance. Also important for Remuera Heritage is the preservation of the memorials to the Remuera service men and women who served in WW2 – this includes the daffodils on the northern slope. 

4. Cultural Heritage: The 10 year plan budget also needs to include increased budget for key Auckland cultural heritage institutions – Auckland Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, MOTAT and the Sir George Grey Special Collections at Auckland Libraries. They all have urgent need for improved infrastructure to meet visitor needs and protection of collections over the next 10 to 20 years. In particular, all Auckland Councillors must support Mayor Phil Goff's proposal of the 1 February 2018 to increase the Auckland Art Gallery's funding by $20m over the next ten years as part of the LTP. We request this amount is targeted for the Auckland Art Gallery when the annual Auckland Council distribution is made to Regional Facilities Auckland. 

AUCKLAND PLAN 2020 – 2050 

1. The Draft Auckland Plan only talks about environmental and cultural heritage as types of heritage, and a definition of cultural heritage includes no recognition of built heritage at all. Cultural heritage appears to be a subset of the environment and is confined to archaeological landscapes – it is not mentioned in the glossary. Rather cultural heritage should be the over-arching category, not a sub-category. The 2012 Auckland Plan included this definition of Heritage in the glossary: a. “The legacy of tangible heritage resources and intangible attributes that are inherited from past generations. Heritage includes historic heritage, taonga tuku iho (heirlooms), and other forms of heritage such as books, works of art, artefacts, beliefs, traditions, language and knowledge”.  

2. The first Auckland Plan released in 2012 had an entire chapter 4 outlining the importance and value of historic heritage, with strategic direction statements, key priorities and targets to “protect and conserve Auckland’s historic heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations”. This 2012 text should be incorporated into Outcome 5: Protecting and Enhancing our Environment, in the Auckland Plan 2050. Text in this outcome must include a definite statement about the importance and value of historic heritage, and specifically that it is included in Focus Area 4, to read “Protect Auckland’s significant environments, and cultural and historic heritage from further loss”. 

3. The first Auckland Plan also had an entire Chapter 3 on Arts and Culture which is now missing. There should be a section in the new draft plan outcome Environment and Cultural Heritage on cultural heritage, which includes the regionally and nationally significant cultural institutions such as the Auckland Museum, MOTAT, Auckland Art Gallery, and Sir George Grey Special Collections, amongst others. The draft plan mentions only “Local and Auckland-wide” community facilities. To omit and exclude the regionally and nationally important cultural heritage organisations in Auckland is a huge oversight.

Population Projections 2013-2043 for Remuera and Meadowbank. Source Stats NZ Census 2013.

The Remuera Residents Association has reported that the Orakei Local Board is proposing that the Remuera CAB move out of 4 Victoria Avenue to the St Luke's Community Centre at 130 Remuera Road. 

 http://remueraresidents.org.nz/latest-news/remuera-citizens-advice-bureau-at-risk/ -

"The Ōrākei Local Board is considering moving the 4 Victoria Avenue CAB to St Lukes Community Centre. Concern has been expressed that no consultation has been undertaken with our local CAB or community, that work has already been undertaken on the site, and that long term decisions on the future of the service have already been made.The CAB is an important community resource and we are very disturbed at the lack of transparency about the future of our CAB and the 4 Victoria Avenue site. We want clarity and honesty around this matter from our local board."  

Remuera has only two community facilities - the Remuera Library and 4 Victoria Avenue which houses the CAB and Plunket. Is the Orakei Local Board and Auckland Council selling our community facility?
There will be a public meeting on 22nd March 2018 at the Remuera Library to discuss this and what is happening at 4 Victoria Avenue. 

The RRA now has a Facebook page – get the latest news etc here:

https://www.facebook.com/remueraresidentsassociation/

The eastern suburbs have seen significant removal of the single house zone to be replaced with the increased density of the Mixed House Suburban or Urban zones. This will lead to the development of individual properties being intensified to 3 stories, alongside single houses, destroying the collective value and amenity of the area which the community has strived to protect for future enjoyment. Urban amenity has to be collective – individual owners cannot do both high density and still expect to retain the existing character and amenity. 

The Independent Hearing Panel wrote “there was an insufficient basis to restrict the demolition of buildings based solely on their age. The argument that the unitary plan should, on an alleged precautionary basis, manage the demolition of buildings in areas that may have ‘unidentified significant historic heritage places or unidentified ‘special’ character areas’ was not supported by evidence of the likelihood that such values would be identified, or that the rate of demolition required such a restriction”. 

During the Unitary Plan process, Auckland Council said it was not resourced to carry out character area surveys to identify significant historic heritage places or unidentified ‘special’ character areas’ but would cooperate with community groups to do this. Remuera Heritage offered its help to the Heritage Dept. and through Councillor Cameron Brewer but we never heard back. Council staff had countered to the IHP that a plan change to add or extend character areas should be ready for notification in early 2017. RH gave evidence of the removal of character buildings from Remuera South, parts of Remuera north and Newmarket to no avail. 

As a result, The Panel has kept most of the currently notified special character overlay over Auckland, with one notable exception – it has been almost erased throughout all the eastern bays, including Remuera, Orakei, Kohimarama, Mission Bay and St Heliers. The pre-1944 demolition control overlay has been removed in its entirety and there is now no protection for any identified or non-identified character buildings in Auckland. The pre-1944 overlay was only an interim measure to allow for the identification of character housing, so now demolition is a permitted activity. 

AT RISK: The Remuera Library which is a listed and protected heritage building has now been zoned as being part of the town business centre and buildings either side have been upzoned to THAB (Terrace Houses and Apartment Buildings). This includes Cotter House, another listed heritage building (the 5th oldest house in Auckland) and the Hearing Association house at the top of St Vincent Avenue. This zoning change does not help the protection of these historic heritage places. It is impossible to understand why there is such a lack of consistency here in having Category A status for a brick public building such as a library and a historic heritage house when the underlying zoning anticipates high density. Houses such as Cotter House are now at significant risk of demolition and redevelopment. 

Gains in Remuera have been the inclusion of the Extent of Place around the Chapel of the Holy Child (formerly the stables) at Kings School to include The Towers, the 1855 Graham/ McCosh Clark house. The Remuera Railway Station has been upgraded from Category B to A: “Given its integrity, it’s now rarity, having an integral and original relationship with its signal box, and being the best of Auckland‘s historic suburban stations, it warrants elevation from a B to A in its heritage categorisation. Accordingly, the Panel supports the scheduling of the ‘Remuera Railway Station and Signal Box’ as Category A and adopts the extent of place and description proposed by Heritage New Zealand.” 

The volcanic viewshafts fared better than heritage. Most (though not all) proposed viewshafts have been retained; a few have been deleted, and there is a new category of locally significant viewshafts. One of the differences between regional and local is that if a proposed building would penetrate a regional viewshaft it is a non-complying activity, whereas for a local viewshaft it is a Restricted Discretionary activity. The Panel has provided the Council with maps which represent its recommendations. 

To view what these recommendations may mean for Remuera and your own property, click here and here.

REMUERA HERITAGE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Friday 10TH May 2019 

Book this date – the speaker Mary Donald, Archivist & Oral Historian on the Remuera oral history programme at the Remuera Library

As many residents know, changes to zoning, parking availability, and public transport have impacted, in recent times, on the popularity and attractiveness of our main shopping centre on Remuera Road. There is a vision, however, for a more active, alive and atmospheric experience that will improve visitation and utilisation of our Town Centre. 

Commercial building owners have a part to play, and many opportunities exist to create innovative and practical enhancements that will develop Remuera into a destination of choice – not only for local residents, but also for those from further afield. 

Come and hear how potential developments centred on the Clonbern Road carpark can be a catalyst for that change. Adrian Barkla, operator of Remuera New World and Chairman of the Remuera Business Association, has agreed to address our meeting and share his insights on the progress towards the vision for a vibrant Remuera. Part of the meeting will be taken to canvas the views and aspirations of residents present, and in that way provide an opportunity to shape the future of our Town Centre.

When: Thursday 11 April at 7.30pm

Where: Remuera Library

Read more here.

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TILL LATER IN THE YEAR

Peter Cropper will present his book: “The Croppers: Merchants and Engineers", published in 2018. 

His family formed the New Zealand company Neill, Cropper & Co. which was innovative in introducing many new products to New Zealand and was involved with major New Zealand companies over the last 100 years. The Cropper family lived at Te Araroa, 7 St Vincent Avenue, Remuera. 

WHERE: Remuera Library Come and hear this author talk - a joint presentation with Remuera Library and Remuera Heritage

$5.00 for refreshments. 

Please RSVP to the Library or to events@remueraheritage.org.nz 

John and Katherine Strevens wish to invite members of Remuera Heritage to a function on Sunday 31st March from 2.30 pm at their historic listed home “St Ann’s” at 43 Arney Rd Remuera. 

There will be drinks plus sandwiches on the lawn and also the opportunity to look at the main reception rooms of the house. To assist catering requirements and to enable the preparation of name badges in advance, please RSVP to john@strevens.co.nz or at phone 09 5200505 no later than 28th March. 

If you are on our mailing list and are not currently a member, you can join now and your subscription will cover you for the year April 1 2019 to March 2020. To join please contact Stuart Hayman on secremher18@gmail.com or credit $25 for individual or $40 for family to our account 06 0257 0198761 00 with your surname as reference and email your full name and contact details to Stuart. You can check out the details here http://www.remueraheritage.co.nz/become-a-member

Image: St Ann's, Arney Road. 1960s. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 435-C5-51

DR MELS BARTON OF THE TREE COUNCIL ON SAVING AUCKLAND’S NATURAL HERITAGE AND FIGHTING KAURI DIEBACK DISEASE – Thursday 21st March 2019 

An environmental scientist turned coordinator, campaigner, organiser, networker and environmental advocate, Mels works with many community organisations and not-for-profits including The Tree Council, Friends of Regional Parks, Revive Our Gulf and Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand. She is Chair of both the Titirangi Residents & Ratepayers Association and the Combined Waitākere Ranges R&R Group and is a former Trustee of Ecomatters Environment Trust and the Weedfree Trust. She has been the National and Auckland Coordinator of NZAEE Seaweek since 2011 and is a leading member of the Waitākere Rāhui campaign and the Kauri Rescue project team. 

When: Thursday 21st March 2019 at 6.30pm 

Where: Remuera Library, 429 Remuera Road, Remuera

It's Christmas time again, nearly! Celebrate another successful heritage year with us. The Remuera Heritage Christmas party will be held at St Aidan's Church on the corner of Remuera Road and Ascot Avenue Remuera on Sunday afternoon 25th November from 2-4pm. 

Please bring a plate of food to share. A drink will be provided. 

There will be a talk about the stained glass windows, old and new. 

See you there.

ARMISTICE DAY 2018 Sunday 11th November 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. To mark this event and to join with nationwide activities, St Aidan’s Church Remuera invite you to meet at the Parish war memorial at 10.45am for prayers and readings. We will then move to the church at 11 am to observe a 2 minute silence before joining in the roaring chorus. 

The St Aidan’s memorial cross records the names of 35 Remuera men who served and died in World War One. The Remuera Primary School gates commemorate the names of the 31 men who died in WW1. Their names are commemorated on the Remuera Heritage website with biographies outlining amazing stories of the young men who went to St Aidan’s Church, Remuera Primary School, King’s College, Auckland Grammar School, and College Rifles, as well as the Remuera nurses who also served close to the front line in Gallipoli, Egypt, France and in England. They were in the infantry, artillery, signals units and the flying school run by the Walsh brothers. They all lived in Remuera – they would all have known one another at school, church, sport and social functions. Let us remember them.

Below are the names of the men on the brass tablets in St Aidan’s Church Remuera who were involved in the church. 

Edgar and Arthur Boucher 

Edgar (known as Teddy) Woodward Boucher enlisted in New Zealand’s first military operation in World War 1 in Samoa and died in New Zealand’s bloodiest battle on the Western front of Europe when 846 young New Zealanders were killed in the Battle of Passchendaele. He was the eldest son of Ernest Woodward and Anna Augusta Vercoe Boucher of Westbourne Road, Remuera, born 15 November 1893. His father Ernest who was on the St Aidan’s Church Committee from 1905-06 and the vestry in 1914, was the son of the Rev A. F. Boucher, of Kempsey House, Worcester, England. 

Edgar was educated at St John’s School at The Pah in Onehunga from 1900 to 1910 and at Kings College. At school in 1910 as head prefect, he passed the matriculation and solicitors’ general knowledge examination, as well as winning the prize for Character, scholarship, leadership, and athletics. He also won prizes for elocution, Shakespeare and having the best drilled section in the cadet corps. He attended Auckland University College from 1912-1914. Edgar was also a senior cadet at College Rifles for four years in the Territorial Reserve. 

Teddy was killed in action at Passchendaele on 12 October 1917. Angela Caughey wrote in her 2005 book about St Aidan’s Church’s history of the community being deeply distraught at the deaths of church members: ‘Teddy’ Boucher, the son of a former vestryman, was killed. People came in large numbers to the special Gallipoli commemoration service, to the Easter services and to Holy Communion. …The dedication of the Edgar W Boucher memorial plaque saw cadets in uniform, carrying handsome silk flags, standing at attention by the memorial, as the bishop unveiled it.” Edgar is also remembered on the Rolls of Honour at Kings College and College Rifles. 

Edgar, however, was not the only Boucher son to fall in WW1. His brother Arthur Francis Boucher, born 20 August 1895, was also a Sapper with the New Zealand Engineers, Divisional Signals Company in France but died of pneumonia in England in 1919. Arthur is also remembered on the brass plaque at St Aidan’s Church and on the Rolls of Honour at College Rifles and Kings College. A memorial to Edgar was dedicated at St Aidan’s Church, Remuera by the Bishop of Auckland Dr A W Averill on 1st September 1918, in the form of a Gothic brass, with the following inscription: 

Edgar Woodward Boucher A brave soldier who sought God’s grace in the Ministrations of His Church to Help him to live and to do his duty Faithfully to God and King. 

He obeyed the call of his country in the first week of the Great War and Fell in Action 12 October 1917 Aged 24 

Also Arthur Francis Boucher Who died on active service 6 February 1919 Aged 23 

John Stewart Dagg was killed at the Battle of the Somme on 15th September 1917. He was the son of Robert and Rosalind Dagg of Ascot Avenue, Remuera, Robert being on the Vestry from 1916-1918. John was a Sunday School teacher at St Aidan’s. When he enlisted on 13 March 1915, he was working as an architect for Leonard Bidwell of Whitianga. On the 31 August 1917 the New Zealand Herald reported: A memorial tablet has been placed in St. Aidan's Church, Remuera, to the memory of Lieutenant J. S. Dagg, of the 6th, Hauraki, Regiment. It has been erected by the Sunday-school children and church workers, and will be dedicated by the Bishop of Auckland this evening, St. Aidan's Day. 

The tablet, which is of brass, is engraved with the badge of the regiment, the garter star with lion centre, and bears the following inscription:— "Remember John Stewart Dagg, Second Lieutenant, 6th, Hauraki, Regiment, who rendered faithful service to his Church and his King. He fell in the battle of the Somme, 15th September, 1916, aged 25. 'A good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Erected by Sunday School children and fellow workers. 

Henry John Innes Walker (Jack Walker) Jack Walker, as he was known, was born on 12 Feb 1890, the eldest son of Henry (1859-1918) and Cecilia Walker (nee Taylor 1868-1942) of ‘Glen Innes’, Victoria Avenue, Remuera. He attended King’s College in Remuera from 1899 to 1909 and St Aidan’s Church in Remuera. He was a professional soldier who joined the British Army and rose to become a captain with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment's 1st Battalion. Captain Walker, aged 25, was killed in action on the 25th April 1915 in Flanders, Belgium. 100 years later his remains were discovered by Belgian archaeologists – he was identified by a medallion with the initials HJIW which was found in the ground. In April 2018 a burial service was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s New Irish Farm Cemetery in Belgium for Captain Henry John Innes Walker, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and six unknown soldiers of the First World War. The service was attended by members of Captain Walker’s family, including his great nephews, Allan and Alistair Innes-Walker, who travelled from New Zealand and Australia respectively.

His plaque reads: For God & King And Country Remember Henry John Innes Walker Captain Royal Warwickshire regiment A soldier of that little British Army which in the early days of the Great War so bravely resisted the rush of the German Advance through Belgium. He fell in action April 25 1915 Aged 25 “He lived an upright honest gentleman And died the bravest of Britain’s Sons 

Thomas Ernest (Service number 21235) was born on 13 August 1895, the youngest son of Thomas and Anne Ernest of 48 Gillies Avenue, Auckland. He attended Auckland Grammar School from 1912. He was a keen marksman and took a prominent part in the School competitions at Penrose. On leaving school he joined the staff of the National Bank of New Zealand at Onehunga. Thomas Ernest was acting scout-master of St Aidan’s Church scout troop until he went to Trentham where he enlisted on 2 May 1916. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917 and died the next day at the British Expeditionary Force No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station near the front line, age 21, although newspaper memorials put his age at only 19. 

ERNEST— loving memory of Tom Ernest (212J5). 16th. Waikato, Company, 2nd A.1.B, died at Bailleul on June 8, 1917 of wounds received at Messines: aged 19 years. ROLL OF HONOUR, New Zealand Herald, 8 June 1920 

Read more here about the men and women who served in WW1 on the Remuera Heritage website.

Remuera Heritage is looking at a visit to the new Bruce McLaren Heritage Centre at Hampton Downs, 60 kms south of Auckland. The Bruce McLaren Heritage Centre was formally opened on the 30th August 2017. The centre has on display trophies, picture, memorabilia that celebrate the life of Bruce McLaren and heritage of New Zealand motorsport. 

The heritage centre is run by the Bruce McLaren Trust, formerly of 586-592 Remuera Road where Bruce and sister Jan grew up in the Upland Motors garage, before moving to Upland Road, Remuera. The overall purpose of the Bruce McLaren Trust is to be a living working memorial to Bruce McLaren and the McLaren Team heritage. 

Bruce McLaren was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1937 and was killed tragically whilst testing one of his cars at Goodwood circuit, England in June 1970. He was a world class international motor racing driver, engineer and designer whose name is still used in Formula 1 motor racing today - a remarkable achievement. With fellow New Zealanders, Denny Hulme and Chris Amon, Bruce took on the might of the international motor racing world and triumphed with enormous success. 

A proposed date is Saturday 3rd November 2018 in the afternoon, with lunch in the Hampton Downs’ café beforehand. We would look at coordinating transport for this event. Please rsvp to contact events@remueraheritage.org.nz and mention if you require transport. 

Check out the new website for the Bruce McLaren Trust - https://bruce-mclaren.com/bruce-mclaren-heritage-centre/

AUCKLAND HERITAGE FESTIVAL 29 September – 14 October 2018 

The festival theme this year is Nga Iwi o Tamaki Makaurau – celebrating the heritage of our people and how diverse cultures from all corners of the world have contributed to Auckland’s heritage. 

Remuera Heritage will host two events this year.  

Rob Allen, Professor of Social History, AUT, talks about the Arts and Crafts Movement which originated in England with William Morris. There were many Remuera houses, including Coolangatta, which were influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement in their design in the early 20th century. 

WHERE: Remuera Library, 429 Remuera Rd 

WHEN: Friday 12 October, 7pm

AUCKLAND HERITAGE FESTIVAL 29 September – 14 October 2018 

The festival theme this year is Nga Iwi o Tamaki Makaurau – celebrating the heritage of our people and how diverse cultures from all corners of the world have contributed to Auckland’s heritage. Remuera Heritage will host two events this year.  

Remuera has been home to more than a dozen Chinese Fruiterers since the 1920s. Jack Lum & Co Ltd continues the tradition of providing high quality fruit and vegetables in Remuera. The 2018 publication of "Fruits of our Labours: Chinese Fruit Shops in New Zealand" includes the contributions of these Remuera fruiterers, families and their descendants. 

WHERE: Remuera Library, 429 Remuera Rd 

WHEN: Friday 5 October, 7pm