Researching your house history - 

Keith Stuart and James Armstrong from Auckland Council will give a presentation on Council Archives and researching the history of your house, which includes: 

• An overview of Auckland Council Archives 

• Examples of Archives’ series, including rate books and building permit plans 

• Using Auckland Council Archives for information on houses 

• Searching Archives Online 

• Online exhibitions 

• Online indexes / 1908 City of Auckland map 

When: Thursday 11 July 2019 at 6.30pm 

Where: Remuera Library 

Light refreshments provided; Members free; non-members $5

Image: Hutchison house at top of Victoria Avenue,1890s. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 7-A1103

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

Despite efforts from Auckland Council to maintain tree protection, amendments to the Resource Management Act in 2015 lifted blanket tree protection in urban areas and removed protection for the vast majority of trees on private urban properties. When considered alongside urban development, threats from pests, diseases and the impacts of climate change, our urban ngahere forest is under threat and needs a special focus. The objective of the council strategy is to have average tree canopy cover of 30 per cent across our urban area, and for all local board areas to have more than 15 per cent canopy cover. The council wants more trees across all of Auckland. How can we save our trees from these threats and development?

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. 

See - an urban forest for Auckland.

When: Thursday 13th June 2019 at 6.30pm 

Where: Remuera Library, 429 Remuera Road, Remuera

Members free; non-members $5.

Chair’s Annual Report to 31 March 2019  

Kia ora koutou katoa; welcome to members, our patron John Strevens, Councillor Desley Simpson, David Seymour M.P., members of the Orakei Local Board and friends of the society.  

In Memoriam 

Remuera Heritage was very sad to hear of the death of John Stacpoole on September 5th 2018. John was a past resident of Remuera, a friend to Remuera Heritage and a gentleman and a scholar. He was New Zealand's first heritage architect. His 1976 book Colonial architecture in New Zealand was the first to piece together the story of New Zealand’s notable buildings and their architects. Remuera Heritage recently completed an oral history with him on social life in Auckland between the two wars. 

Also Susan Wong, sister of Joana, Margaret and David Wong, who passed away in July 2018. Susan was a member of Remuera Heritage who was always very helpful in organizing events with us.

And Michael Horwood who was the owner of Peppercorn Kitchenware, who I interviewed back in 2014 about the Remuera shops.

Events in 2018 

Heritage architect Graeme Burgess spoke to us in July 2018 about the architectural history of Remuera houses, particularly in Upland Road where he grew up. In June 2018 we had a tour of the Church of Scientology in Grafton Road with Robin Byron of Heritage New Zealand. The building was originally the Methodist Theological College in 1929 after it was previously located at Dunholme in Remuera. The Church had spent $6 million doing a complete restoration and seismic strengthening to transform the building in 2017, after buying it from the Whitecliffe College of Art and Design for $10 million. 

During the Auckland Heritage Festival, Professor Rob Allen of AUT spoke on the arts and craft movement which originated in England with William Morris and influenced many Remuera houses, namely the Wrigley house in Ladies Mile, Baytree Cottage in Mainston Road, the Hanna house in Arney Road, Fairley in Bassett Road and St Ann’s in Arney Road. Ruth Lam also gave a talk on the Chinese Fruiterers in Remuera, the Wongs, Lums, Chinns and Tams, based on the book Fruits of our Labours, a comprehensive history of Chinese fruiterers in New Zealand. 

In November 2018, we visited the Bruce McLaren Heritage Centre at Hampton Downs. We had lunch in the very nice café and a tour of the new premises which has a lounge/library for looking at memorabilia. The building at 590 Remuera Road was sold and bought by Brian Rose who has renovated the interior and exterior, retaining the signature wall inside the McLaren flat. The School Uniform Shop currently sited opposite is moving into the downstairs ground floor. We are looking at a heritage plaque to go up on the wall at 590. 2019 will be the 60th anniversary of Bruce’s first Formula One win at Sebring, Florida and the 50th anniversary of being awarded the Segrave Trophy – the only other new Zealander to have won it was Jean Batten in 1938. 

This year we’ve had Dr Mels Barton speak on kauri dieback disease which threatens our natural heritage as there is no cure – and the pathogen Phytopthhora can affect not just kauri but other trees as well, such as the jarrah in Western Australia. It’s the same pathogen that caused the potato blight and has killed many avocado trees. New Zealand has done virtually no scientific research and analysis in to kauri, or indeed any of our native species, as there was no economic reason to do so – it’s just starting to happen. Dingle Dell and Waiatarua reserve are sites in the Orakei Local Board area that are being monitored.  

To cap this financial year off, we were invited by John and Catherine Strevens to a Sunday afternoon at their home St Ann’s in Arney Road, which transcends the usual heritage style to be a uniquely decorated house of beauty and grandeur. Let’s hope a new owner is found who cares as much about this beautiful house as the Strevens do. 

Future events 

13 June 2019 Associate Professor Margaret Stanley, University of Auckland will speak on the Auckland Urban Forest - Thursday 13th June 2019. Despite efforts from Auckland Council to maintain tree protection, amendments to the Resource Management Act in 2015 lifted blanket tree protection in urban areas and removed protection for the vast majority of trees on private urban properties. When considered alongside urban development, threats from pests, diseases and the impacts of climate change, our urban forest ngahere needs a special focus. The objective of the council strategy is to have average tree canopy cover of 30 per cent across our urban area, and they’re aiming for all local board areas to have more than 15 per cent canopy cover. The council says, put simply, we want more trees across all of Auckland. 

July 11th 2019 – Auckland Council archivists are coming to talk about how to find out about your home’s heritage in the archives. There’s a wealth of information to be found if you know where to look. 

The Auckland Heritage Festival is on again in October 2019 and we have two events lined up: Bruce Renshaw of Victoria Avenue on Wilson’s beach and jetty that he has been instrumental in restoring. And Councillor Mike Lee on his new book on the French navigators and explorers in New Zealand. We hear a lot about James Cook of course but nothing about the French. 

We’d love to do some more visits to Remuera’s historic houses and buildings – if you know of any available for a visit, please let me know. 

Planning 

In 2017 we met with Auckland Council’s Historic Heritage team to look at potential historic heritage sites in Remuera. I said last year that we should know the results this year, but nothing has been forthcoming yet. Four properties are proposed to go through to a plan change later this year. Meanwhile there are properties that are left vacant and start to deteriorate – this is demolition by neglect. Here are a couple of examples at 107 Bell Road and 24 Ridings Road. If you know of any others, please take a photo and let us know. 

Remuera Railway Station 

Remuera Heritage continues to support The Remuera Railway Station Preservation Trust in its efforts with Auckland Transport to restore this unique island station for community use. Auckland Transport have prepared an Agreement to Occupy contract which the Trust has signed. We are now trying to raise the money to restore the interior through applying for funds from various grant-making organisations. It’s a long slow complex process. 

PROJECTS 

Oral histories

Mary Donald completed five oral histories last year and are looking to do more this year. We have a list of names but always welcome more suggestions. 

Heritage properties 

We’re looking at commissioning a series of photos of the Remuera shops and historic houses in Remuera as change is happening so fast. We’re also looking at doing some documenting of the history of the site known as the village green, stables, the site of the original Remuera Fire Station and Council Works Depot. We have written to Auckland Council about the state of the Remuera Library steel windows which are rusting away – Auckland Council owns this category 1 listed building and has a responsibility to maintain its own heritage properly. The Orakei Local Board will monitor this.  

Communications 

We need a new website as the current platform we use to create it on is being withdrawn. We’re obtaining proposals from other suppliers for a new design and platform. And I’m always looking for new content and innovative ways to present all the information we have on Remuera. There are now over 150 profiles of WW1 soldiers and nurses from Remuera – this one suburb provided so many talented and courageous officers and nurses who were awarded with honours during the war. We have digitised some of the Remuera Round and hope to do more. 

Management Committee 

Finally I would like to thank the wonderful committee: Stuart Hayman, Ken Bierman, Bryan Haggitt, Brian Cooper, David Pittman, Jan Bierman, Sue Johnston & Sue Jackson of Remuera Library, who provide us with this wonderful venue. We always need some new members on our committee – the society is at a very exciting stage in its development and we want to maintain our informative and social programme of events. I hope you will consider getting involved. 

 Sue Cooper, Chair, 10 May 2019

REMUERA HERITAGE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Friday 10th May 2019 at 6.30pm.

 Our speaker will be Mary Donald, Archivist & Oral Historian, talking on the Remuera Heritage oral history programme. 

Come and hear about the oral history project. Mary Donald, archivist and oral historian, interviewed John Stacpoole, Angela Caughey, Beverley Newton, Hal Lawry and Joan Thompson about their memories of Remuera. Their stories are an important part of the social history of Remuera and we will hear snippets of some of their stories.

WHEN:Friday 10th May 2019 at 6.30 pm

WHERE: Remuera Library, with light refreshments

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 mitigation 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

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.

Researching your house history - 

Keith Stuart and James Armstrong from Auckland Council will give a presentation on Council Archives and researching the history of your house, which includes: 

• An overview of Auckland Council Archives 

• Examples of Archives’ series, including rate books and building permit plans 

• Using Auckland Council Archives for information on houses 

• Searching Archives Online 

• Online exhibitions 

• Online indexes / 1908 City of Auckland map 

When: Thursday 11 July 2019 at 6.30pm 

Where: Remuera Library 

Light refreshments provided; Members free; non-members $5

Image: Hutchison house at top of Victoria Avenue,1890s. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 7-A1103

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

Despite efforts from Auckland Council to maintain tree protection, amendments to the Resource Management Act in 2015 lifted blanket tree protection in urban areas and removed protection for the vast majority of trees on private urban properties. When considered alongside urban development, threats from pests, diseases and the impacts of climate change, our urban ngahere forest is under threat and needs a special focus. The objective of the council strategy is to have average tree canopy cover of 30 per cent across our urban area, and for all local board areas to have more than 15 per cent canopy cover. The council wants more trees across all of Auckland. How can we save our trees from these threats and development?

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. 

See - an urban forest for Auckland.

When: Thursday 13th June 2019 at 6.30pm 

Where: Remuera Library, 429 Remuera Road, Remuera

Members free; non-members $5.

REMUERA HERITAGE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Friday 10th May 2019 at 6.30pm.

 Our speaker will be Mary Donald, Archivist & Oral Historian, talking on the Remuera Heritage oral history programme. 

Come and hear about the oral history project. Mary Donald, archivist and oral historian, interviewed John Stacpoole, Angela Caughey, Beverley Newton, Hal Lawry and Joan Thompson about their memories of Remuera. Their stories are an important part of the social history of Remuera and we will hear snippets of some of their stories.

WHEN:Friday 10th May 2019 at 6.30 pm

WHERE: Remuera Library, with light refreshments

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.

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