New pipe transplant operation for old organ

The 45-year-old organ is being dismantled in preparation for the $4m rebuild. Photo / Dean Purcell

The mighty machine at the heart of the music of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, for 45 years, is being dismantled.

More than 4,000 pipes of the Anglican cathedral's organ are being carefully removed from their lofty positions to prepare for a replacement that will have 5,215 pipes and be able to be heard clearly through all parts of the cathedral.

About 800 of the old pipes will be reconditioned and reused in the $4 million "New Voice" organ project.

The old organ was failing and the motor that blows air through the pipes had seized up during a special Christmas carol service in 2008.

Organist Philip Smith said then that the organ was "getting long in the tooth" and described its mechanical side as "like driving a car made in 1968".

The new organ is being built by an English firm that has been building pipe organs since Queen Victoria was on the throne.

Paul and Neil Daly, from Nicholson and Co, of Malvern, are on the cathedral site for five weeks to supervise the deconstruction, supported by a team of specially trained Kiwis.

Nicholsons plan to start work on the new organ in May and have the full installation completed by mid-2017.

The new organ has been designed to suit a variety of purposes and will be heard publicly 300 times a year in services and recitals.

Its pipes range in size from 32ft (9.75m) long - for the low sounds - to the size of a pencil.

A "donate a pipe" appeal is trying to raise a $1 million shortfall.