Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary, formerly known as St Mary's, is the oldest stone church in New Zealand. Photo / RNZ
Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary, formerly known as St Mary's, is the oldest stone church in New Zealand. Photo / RNZ
Skyrocketing costs have caused the Taranaki Cathedral earthquake strengthening project in New Plymouth to come to an immediate halt in the face of a $8.5 million funding shortfall.
Built in 1846, the Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary is New Zealand’s oldest stone church and was undergoing earthquake strengthening and upgrades.
The project has a budget of $28.8 million, which is up on early estimates of $20m. This includes a $5m Government contribution towards building an educational space, Te Whare Hononga (the house that binds), which was completed in 2021.
Lead contractor Clelands Construction recently completed testing on a portion of the southern wall using seismic strengthening techniques proposed for the entire building, but estimated costs for the work have increased dramatically.
In 2019, the estimated cost of seismic strengthening was $10m; by 2023 that had risen to $16m and now it has blown out to $21.4m for the final consented design.
He said without funds available the project was unable to lock in 2024 prices with contractors and it was possible costs could continue to increase.
Dean Jay Ruka, of Taranaki Cathedral, says efforts are under way to make up the funding shortfall with the aim of restarting work in two years. Photo / RNZ
In addition to cost blowouts, two financial mechanisms the cathedral had in place last year were no longer available, leaving it unable to borrow the $8.5m to bridge the funding shortfall.
“A church trust underwrite of $6 million is no longer available and the remaining cost is now too large for an immediate underwrite from another trust.”
To unlock the remaining $2.7m from Kānoa, the cathedral must show evidence of funding to bridge the shortfall.
Ruka said efforts were under way to make up the funding shortfall with the aim of restarting work in two years.
The Church of St Mary, which is on the ancient site of Pūkākā Pā, played a pivotal role in the Taranaki Wars of the 1860s. It became the centre of a fortified settlement and gave shelter to Pākehā civilians, while European forces camped on the property.
The grounds were also the final resting place of Ngāti Hauā chief Wetini Taiporutu, his son Hemi, Ngāti Apakura chief Whararangi, Ngāti Kōura chief Hakopa, and two unnamed chiefs who were killed at Māhoetahi on November 6, 1860.
In 2021, the Taranaki Anglican Trust Board was able to begin relocating and renovating St Mary’s vicarage and building Te Whare Hononga.
Te Whare Hononga at the Taranaki Cathedral. Photo / RNZ
By the numbers
Funding received (from Taranaki Cathedral website):
MBIE Kānoa - $2,751,150, Toi Foundation - $1,500,000, wider Anglican Church - $3,000,000, Heritage and Lotteries - $500,000, NPDC Heritage Fund - $75,000, St Mary’s Parish & NP community - $1,758,600, St Mary’s Parochial Trust - $300,000, Organ fundraising - $59,400.
