Tupare under wraps

20 April 2016
Visitors to Tupare will be surprised to see a huge white tent covering the house during the next few months.

The house at the premier New Plymouth heritage property has been covered while cedar roofing shingles are installed to replace the pine shingles which were in poor condition.

“The Tupare ‘arts and crafts’ house and garden offers a unique visitor experience of national significance,” says Taranaki Regional Council Gardens Manager Greg Rine. “The house is an important heritage asset for Taranaki.”

“The roof replacement is part of the maintenance programme for the Council gardens and will return the house to the original standard when it was built by Sir Russell Matthews in the 1930s.”

The maintenance work will not affect visits to the garden or the programme of events at Tupare. Work is expected to be completed by the end of June and the series of monthly Sunday afternoon High Teas held at the Tupare house will recommence in June.

The ‘arts and crafts’ movement was committed to using authentic materials and skilled crafts people. The house was initially designed by the renowned James Chapman Taylor and built under the direction of Tupare owner Sir Russell Mathews. The main construction was carried out during 1932 to 1935 but took 12 years to complete.

ENDS

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