Historic Places Aotearoa urges halt to imminent demolition of Āniwaniwa Visitor Centre

Historic Places Aotearoa says Department of Conservation Deputy Director-General Mervyn English must immediately reconsider the planned demolition of the Āniwaniwa Visitor Centre.

James Blackburne, President of the Historic Places Aotearoa (HPA), the voice of heritage for New Zealand, says he is frustrated by Mr English’s stubbornness and urges the department to engage in meaningful discussion with all groups advocating for the building’s retention and restoration.

“The visitor centre is a significant part of New Zealand’s modern architectural legacy, listed by Heritage New Zealand as a Category One Historic Place, and a place of outstanding cultural value to New Zealand,” Mr Blackburne, who also chairs Historic Places Tairawhiti Inc, said this morning.

“Every attempt should be made to save this building at Lake Waikaremoana for future generations. It is just as significant as the Colin McCahon triptych painting stolen from the centre in 1997.”

“Recent Environment Court affidavits show DoC has planned the building’s demolition for some time, despite telling the Wairoa Star in July it had no confirmed plans for demolition, claiming instead it was still exploring options regarding for the building.”

In 1969, Te Urewera National Park Board commissioned Māori architect the late John Scott to design a headquarters at Āniwaniwa. Three years before its 1976 opening, a Tūhoe Trust Board member expressed pleasure that its concept and design embodied so much of the Urewera spirit and history of Māori occupation.

The centre is governed by the Te Urewera management plan and annual operational plan. An aim of the management plan is to ensure archaeological and historic sites and objects within the park will, as far as possible, be preserved and managed in line with DoC national and conservancy strategies and plans. DoC is a signatory to the World Heritage Convention, which encourages identifying, protecting and preserving the world’s outstanding cultural and natural heritage sites for the international community and future generations.

Mr Blackburne said the department had neglected its duties for many years and let the building fall into a state of disrepair.

“It has effectively allowed the building to degrade to such an extent that demolition is seen by many as the obvious solution, but this would mean the loss of a taonga of national significance.”

HPA is also frustrated by the lack of advocacy shown by Heritage NZ, the country’s leading national heritage agency and an autonomous Crown entity.

“Heritage NZ staff were working with iwi and architects to advocate for the building’s protection but this all stopped in June. The Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage is the only person with the power to direct Heritage NZ to stop advocating for the building’s protection.”
HPA believes if Heritage NZ fails to follow policy and advocate for the visitor centre, it will create a precedent for private owners of heritage buildings who want to demolish their heritage-listed buildings.

“Unless the Crown entity has been advised by the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage not to advocate for the building, it must actively advocate for all listed buildings regardless of ownership. And in this case, it must advocate to protect and conserve this historically and culturally significant heritage building.”

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