Warning bells over Auckland's heritage

Shed 10, Queen's Wharf. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Developers will continue to bulldoze Auckland's heritage buildings and encroach on green spaces unless big changes occur under the new council, said heritage campaigners yesterday.

In a debate in Shed 10 on Queens Wharf, mayoral and council candidates and heritage groups painted a mixed picture of Auckland's protection of its buildings, landscape, and culture.

Community groups from all over Auckland celebrated recent heritage successes - in particular the protection of the Birdcage Tavern - and failures, such as the redevelopment of the Masonic Hotel in Devonport into an apartment complex.

But the consensus from the debate was that Auckland's track record in preserving its heritage was weak.

Furthermore, many expressed concern that this would not change under the new council.

Civic Trust Auckland member Gary Russell said the Auckland Transition Authority had failed to form a committee for arts and heritage.

"So we have a completely blank canvas. It's not looking good going."

Mr Russell said too much attention was paid to the economic benefits of "newer, bigger, better" structures, and not enough to the intangible value of heritage buildings.

"It's just one economic example, but Christchurch have people from overseas, especially Asia, fly in to have their wedding pictures in these [heritage] places."

He pointed out that Christchurch had nearly 463 scheduled heritage buildings compared with Auckland's 290, despite Auckland's greater size.

Historic Places Trust board member Allan Matson said the new council needed to follow the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance by creating a heritage panel.

He said the current process - in which heritage sites were measured in value by a numerical system - was not transparent enough.

Asked what aspects of heritage they cared about most, mayoral candidate Len Brown said the refurbishment of the St James Theatre on Queen St, the recognition of Maori history in Auckland, and green heritage, such as the Waipapa Stream project in Parnell.

Another candidate, Simon Prast, called for a "beautiful city ... not a freeway truckstop ... or strip mall".

If elected he would buy back the Mercury Theatre and look to save the St James Theatre.