Action Hobson Turns To Heritage

Action Hobson, the new community political vehicle contesting the three Hobson Ward seats on the Auckland City Council and the six seats on the Hobson Community Board, will be strongly represented at next week’s Parnell Heritage Summit, called to discuss the ongoing destruction to the historic part of Auckland and to establish a Parnell Historic Society.

“As well as the transport issues that are at the forefront of people’s minds right now, Action Hobson is campaigning to protect and promote the unique heritage of our community,” Richard Simpson, a candidate for the Auckland City Council said today. “This summit fits in perfectly to what we are doing and we are strongly in favour of the new society.”

The Summit, to be held at 7pm, on Tuesday 7 September, at the Jubilee Building Hall, 545 Parnell Rd, has been called by a group of concerned Parnell residents who wish to raise awareness of threats facing the historic suburb, and is part of the Auckland City Council’s official Heritage Week.

“All cities develop and change over time,” Richard Simpson said. “But there is no point in them developing and changing if they lose what makes them special and what makes people want to live in them. Our concern is that uncontrolled development is leading to the demolition of historic homes and buildings, which is destroying the character of Parnell. Future generations will have no link back to their heritage and will shake their heads in wonder that our generation could have been so short-sighted in destroying the genesis of Auckland.”

One of Action Hobson’s key commitments is to stop the destruction of Auckland’s heritage buildings, particularly in Parnell.

“Stopping the Eastern Motorway and protecting our heritage both fit together into a common theme – ensuring Hobson and Auckland generally remain great places to live,” Mr Simpson said.

Richard Simpson and Action Hobson’s Kathryn Carter will speak at the Summit, alongside Rendell McIntosh, who is currently researching a book on the Judges Bay/Parnell area, and George Farrant from Auckland City Council’s Heritage division, who will address specific examples of Parnell’s heritage and focus on “Heritage Lost and Found”.

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