12 February 2018
Entries open for Heritage Awards
Entries are now open for the Box 112 2018 Canterbury Heritage Awards. Organisers are encouraging all Canterbury
individuals, organisations, and companies involved in heritage restoration, retention, promotion or tourism to submit an
entry. The Awards are free to enter.
Chair of the Heritage Awards Trust Anna Crighton said that “the aftermath of the devastation of our heritage from both
natural disaster and by man has resulted in some stunning restoration projects which deserve celebration for the
survivors. The awards evening is an opportunity for heritage visionaries and enthusiasts to come together, network and
celebrate our cultural heritage”.
The biennial Awards were first held in 2010 and have since evolved to reflect the changing heritage landscape of
Christchurch. In particular, the Wilkie + Bruce Future Heritage Award, recognises a new building showing sensitivity to
the streetscape and landscape and one which will secure a cultural legacy for the future. Last year the new Miles Warren
building at Christ’s College impressed judges and took out the top spot in that category. Despite being entirely
contemporary in form, the judges noted that the building was designed to sit with grace in the surrounding heritage
environment by making subtle references to the historic College buildings.
“As Christchurch, especially in the centre, has been built almost out of recognition the existing heritage and the
design of our new builds have become increasingly more significant,” said Anna Crighton.
There are seven Award Categories in 2018: Wilkie + Bruce Future Heritage Award, Ceres NZ Seismic Award, Heritage New
Zealand Outstanding Contribution to Heritage, Continental Catering Heritage Tourism Award, Mapei Public Realm Saved and
Restored, Simon Construction Domestic Saved and Restored and the Christchurch Heritage Trust Supreme Award (judged from
all category winners).
In 2016 the Supreme Award went to the Arts Centre of Christchurch’s Great Hall, which had been officially re-opened only
days before the Awards Ceremony.
The Right Honourable Helen Clark ONZ, former head of the United Nations Development Programme, and former Minister for
Arts, Culture and Heritage continues as Patron of the Awards. The independent judging panel for 2018 is chaired by
architect Tim Nees Chair of the Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and includes Andrew Coleman
Chief Executive of Heritage New Zealand, Ian Bowman Conservation Architect, and Trustee Jenny May. The Category Award
Trophies and the Supreme Award Trophies are designed by prominent New Zealand sculptor Neil Dawson.
Entry forms are available to download at the new website: www.heritageawards.co.nz. Organisations and individuals are
also encouraged to contact the Award Convenors to nominate heritage projects or organisations. Award entries close on 06
April and the 2018 Heritage Awards Ceremony will be held in the Isaac Theatre Royal on Friday 15 June 2018. A Heritage
Lecture, sponsored by the Warren Trust, will also take place in the Isaac Theatre Royal on Thursday 14 June. Speakers to
be announced.
-ENDS-