I attended a meeting of the Probus Club of Kamo on February 11 chaired by Kevin Hayes, which involved a wide range of opinion from a representative group of experienced long-term residents of Whangarei who stressed the importance of preserving the few remaining heritage buildings in our city.
One member expressed the considered opinion that there is too much focus on the financial aspects of the relative costs of Hundertwasser v Harbourside.
The Harbour Board building has been a local icon since the 1920s and the board under the leadership of Ralph Trimmer, Theo Busck, Jim Carney, Peter Jones and many others has been an important part of our marine heritage that should not be subsumed into a European folly that is already well catered for in Kawakawa for followers of the Austrian artist and designer.
I appeal to the ratepayers of Whangarei not to allow this building to be demolished as happened with the classic Bank of New Zealand chambers but to restore it to its rightful place as the jewel in the crown of waterfront heritage in keeping with Eugene Caffler's San Souciinspired French colonial theme which already brings many visitors to to the town basin and nearby museums, galleries and walkways.
Alan Martin
Whau Valley
