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 fortunate to have two cabinets in the Remuera Library. Currently there are displays relating to World War One airmen and women and items from the collection of Terry Sutcliffe. Please go and have a look - any recommendations for displays are most welcome.

ARMISTICE DAY SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2018 AT ST AIDAN'S CHURCH

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. 
Read about the Remuera men and women remembered on the brass tablets in St Aidan's Church, the memorial cross and on the Remuera Heritage website.

REMUERA HERITAGE CHRISTMAS PARTY 2018

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 short talk about the stained glass windows, old and new. See you there.

REMUERA HERITAGE CABINETS

Remuera Heritage is fortunate to have two cabinets in the Remuera Library. Currently there are displays relating to World War One airmen and women and items from the collection of Terry Sutcliffe. Please go and have a look - any recommendations for displays are most welcome.

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

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/

EVENTS 

VISIT TO BRUCE MCLAREN HERITAGE CENTRE, HAMPTON DOWNS:November 3rd 

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 building before moving to Upland Road, Remuera.

The 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 are coordinating transport for this event. Please rsvp to info@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

Remuera Heritage hosted two successful events this year:

ARTS AND CRAFTS MOVEMENT AND REMUERA AND AUCKLAND HOUSES

60+ people heard Rob Allen Professor of Social History at AUT speak about the Arts and Crafts Movement which originated in England with William Morris, architects Philip Webb, Edwin Lutyens, Charles Voysey and Baillie Scott. There were many Remuera houses, including and especially Coolangatta, which were influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement in their design in the early 20th century, with architects Gerald Jones, Roy Binney, and Noel Bamford. Remuera houses covered were the Wrigley House (Ladies Mile), Spicer House (Baytree Cottage, Mainston Road), Hanna House (Arney Road), Fairley / Awatea (Bassett Road) and the Hellaby House which was at 519 Remuera Rd and at Karaka, Franklin since 2003.

Ann Calhoun’s book Arts & Crafts Design: "like yet not like" nature: sources for a New Zealand story by Ann Calhoun – Digital Book (PDF), 350 pages, 42mb , can be downloaded here for free –

http://www.artsandcraftsnz.co.nz/

CHINESE FRUITERERS IN NEW ZEALAND

On Friday 5^th October, as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival, 65+ people heard Ruth Lam, co-author of the Fruits of our Labours, give a fascinating talk about the Chinese fruiterers in Remuera. Remuera has been home to more than a dozen Chinese fruiterers since the 1920s, with Jack Lum & Co continuing the tradition of selling high quality fruit and vegetables.

The first Chinese fruiterer in Remuera was Wong Kee & Co in 1924 in the Coles Building. Other familiar names who had businesses in Remuera were the Chinn family, Willie & Allan Tam, Fong Kee, She Cheong, the Wong family –  parents Francis and Alice with children Joana, Margaret, David and Susan, the James and Ida Wong family, and Yee Hop owned by Chan Yuen Ling.  Ron Wong, son of James and Ida, spoke about how as a teenager he made his own fireworks with help from Bruce Culpan, chemist.  

The book was meticulously researched and written over 4 years by Ruth Lam, Beverley Lowe, Helen Wong, Michael Wong and Carolyn King. It contains many family histories and stories plus detailed research from libraries, archives and museums throughout New Zealand. Fruits of our Labours was commissioned and published by the New Zealand Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust in 2018.

Copies of the two volume book can be ordered for $80 from fruitsofourlabours@gmail.com.

ARMISTICE DAY – FIELD OF REMEMBRANCE TRUST

To commemorate Armistice Day 11th November 2018, the Field of Remembrance Trust will have a special field honouring the families who suffered multiple losses. The field of 1,461 crosses will be situated near the Gallipoli Pine in front of the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

It will be divided into 3 sections the first for the 637 families who lost two sons; the second for the 51 families who lost three members and the third for the nine sets of four brothers. There were ten Remuera families with more than one son killed in WW1: read about them here.

Also commemorated will be the 100 anniversary of the signing of the Armistice and the end of the war, with a field of 18,277 crosses for each New Zealander who died in World War One. Each cross bears the name of a soldier or nurse who died during the war. The crosses will be on display from 19 October until 20 November 2018.

JOHN MASSY STACPOOLE 1920 – 2018

Remuera Heritage was very sad to hear of the death of John Stacpoole on September 5

^th 2018. John was a past resident of Remuera, a friend to Remuera Heritage and a gentleman and a scholar. 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.

Heritage New Zealand have a detailed tribute to John Heritage This Month - October 2018:

John Stacpoole remembered

Heritage New Zealand was saddened to hear of the passing of John Stacpoole last month at 98 years of age.

In 1965 John began his association with the then New Zealand Historic Places Trust – the forerunner of Heritage New Zealand – when he became the Ministry of Works advisory architect to the Trust. His first heritage project for the Trust was the restoration of the Mission House at Waimate North. Read more here.

Visit 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 https://www.facebook.com/remueraheritage/ Email us at info@remueraheritage.org.nz

60+ people heard Rob Allen Professor of Social History at AUT speak at the Remuera Library on Friday 12th October 2018 on the Arts and Crafts Movement which originated in England with William Morris, architects Philip Webb, Edwin Lutyens, Charles Voysey and Baillie Scott. There were many Remuera houses, including and especially Coolangatta, which were influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement in their design in the early 20th century, with architects Gerald Jones, Roy Binney, and Noel Bamford. Remuera houses covered were the Wrigley House (Ladies Mile), Spicer House (Baytree Cottage, Mainston Road), Hanna House (Arney Road), Fairley / Awatea (Bassett Road) and the Hellaby House which was at 519 Remuera Rd and at Karaka, Franklin since 2003.  

Ann Calhoun’s book Arts & Crafts Design: "like yet not like" nature: sources for a New Zealand story by Ann Calhoun – Digital Book (PDF), 350 pages, 42mb, can be downloaded here for free – http://www.artsandcraftsnz.co.nz/

Left: Hanna House, Arney Rd. Right: Spicer House/Baytree Cottage, Mainston Rd.

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

The Win With Words writing competition final was held at Remuera Library on 29 August 2018. Year 7 and 8 students from 11 local Remuera schools submitted hundreds of entries. The creative writing programme and prizes are sponsored by Westpac, Remuera Business Association, Orakei Local Board and Remuera Heritage. Rosemary Tisdall, children’s literature specialist, donated her time as the overall judge of our stories again this year. 

During Term 2, the Orakei Local Board sponsor a three hour writing workshop, taken by a children’s author, for a number of students from each local school. This year the workshop was taken by well-known children’s author, Stacy Gregg, who also attended the prize giving and was delighted to read out excerpts of stories written by students who had attended her workshop.  

This year’s heritage winners were Finn Houghton, Remuera Intermediate, year seven – with Saved By A Cookie and Charlotte Holt – Lady Grey, Remuera Intermediate, year eight. Congratulations to the winners.

Photos courtesy of Remuera Library. Charlotte is 5th from the right; Finn 6th from left of second photo.

On Friday 5th October, as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival, 65+ people heard Ruth Lam, co-author of the Fruits of our Labours, give a fascinating talk about the Chinese fruiterers in Remuera, with much input from the Chinese community in Remuera whose families had been in business as fruiterers.. 

Remuera has been home to more than a dozen Chinese fruiterers since the 1920s, with Jack Lum & Co continuing the tradition of selling high quality fruit and vegetables. The first Chinese fruiterer in Remuera was Wong Kee & Co in 1924 in the Coles Building. Other familiar names who had businesses in Remuera were the Chinn family, Willie & Allan Tam, Fong Kee, She Cheong, the Wong family – parents Francis and Alice with children Joana, Margaret, David and Susan, the James and Ida Wong family, and Yee Hop owned by Chan Yuen Ling. Ron Wong, son of James and Ida, spoke about how as a teenager he made his own fireworks with help from Bruce Culpan, chemist. Joana Wong spoke about the Christmas 'rush' where she had to drive to the railway station with the Christmas orders to go on the train to wherever Remuera families were holidaying.

The book was meticulously researched and written over 4 years by Ruth Lam, Beverley Lowe, Helen Wong, Michael Wong and Carolyn King. It contains many family histories and stories plus detailed research from libraries, archives and museums throughout New Zealand. 

Fruits of our Labours was commissioned and published by the New Zealand Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust in 2018. Copies of the two volume book can be ordered for $80 from fruitsofourlabours@gmail.com.

Photos courtesy of Remuera Library.

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.

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