March 2025

THE Quarterly NEWS from March 2025

Dear Members Another beautiful summer! Day after day of clear skies and sunshine. Although suffering from lack of rain, Auckland, and Parnell in particular, is looking very beautiful with the autumn light and changing colours. Ok, so there are a lot of roadworks/pipework in our area but no doubt the finished results will be worth it!

This Newsletter introduces the new members of our Executive, after Julie Hill and Carolyn Cameron sadly decided to step down. Also, due to other commitments, Roger Burton has stepped down as Co-Chair, but he will continue to serve on the Executive.

Already we have enjoyed an excellent event at the Pavilion earlier this month, and many more occasions planned – how about a relaxing afternoon at 269 Parnell Road? – see photo below!

A great new addition to the Parnell scene, thanks to Kevin Harvey.

Remember, if you would like to take a more active role in Parnell Heritage or to help in any way, please contact Sue (who looks after our administration) at andreassensue@gmail.com / 022 647 5155.

With best wishes, Beth O’Loughlin Chair of Parnell Heritage Inc.

THE Quarterly NEWS from Meet our New Executive Members

From the left: Drew Glucina, Linda White, Wendy Whittaker and Selena Renner Drew Glucina has been a resident of Parnell for many years. She has three children, one here in NZ and two in London. She is the CEO of a non-profit organisation and is committed to supporting Auckland communities.

Linda White has lived in Parnell for the past twenty-five years and loves its strong sense of community. She was part of the protest group against the Erebus Memorial’s proposed site in the Dove Myer Robinson Park. She is keen to protect Parnell’s history and enjoys belonging to its community.

Wendy Whittaker moved to Parnell from Wellington 20 years ago with her young family. Her children attended Parnell District School, and she enjoys playing an active role in the community.

After a career as a health professional, Wendy now runs her own small business and is reading Law at Auckland University. She is excited to be part of Parnell Heritage and is very happy to be able to offer her time and expertise to help the organisation.

Selena Renner is from China. As she says, “She married a Kiwi!” - she met Martin, originally from Newmarket, who was working in China. They have lived with their son in Parnell for the past 12 years. Selena loves Parnell and she is a real estate agent with Bayleys.

Open Day at the Pavilion It was a perfect sunny afternoon at the Pavilion, looking out over the cricket field. There were around forty of us and we enjoyed drinks and nibbles on arrival. Then Beth O’Loughlin welcomed everyone and introduced the four new members of the Executive.

Roger Burton introduced the speaker, the Hon. Paul Goldsmith, with whom he had worked as Epsom Executive Chair for the past four years. Paul was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2011, and currently he is Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Minister of Justice, Minister for Media and Communications and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations.

THE Quarterly NEWS from Having just returned from commemorations over the Ngāpuhi attack on the Ngāti Whātua over two hundred years ago, Paul commented also on the rich heritage of the Parnell area. As a historian and politician, his ministerial role covers a wide range. He spoke of his goals to support art groups, the symphony orchestra and Heritage NZ. Inevitably, the budget is very difficult with the government’s debt over the past six years incurring over $10 billion interest. Thus, it is a battle to maintain resources for the Arts.

He said that to increase revenue we need to grow exports, e.g. film companies, music groups, and to make sure we support musicians.

Paul mentioned his colleague, Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction, and the conflict caused by the high costs needed to maintain heritage buildings, e.g. in Napier, and the need for housing. There is a need to be practical but to keep heritage areas also.

Paul invited questions from the audience. Sally Hughes from Character Coalition asked about Plan Change 78, legislation that allows three storeys on each section, and Auckland Council’s proposed change which is currently on hold. As community groups need to prepare for the hearing, it is crucial to know if it is going ahead or not. Paul agreed to seek clarification for this.

Anthony Blaschke asked that Post Boxes be returned to the streets. Paul was sympathetic about the request but did not hold out much hope, with so many people now using email instead of mail.

In response to a question about the government’s research management consenting changes, which will result in decisions being out of the public realm, Paul said he will ask questions from the relevant people with a view to ensuring some public oversight.

Paul agreed with Allan Matson about Heritage NZ and the increase in court hearings taking place with resulting costs. He said he was keen to ‘rejig’ the organization, but he is limited in the powers he has.

The minister then joined us for a drink and sausages and even helped with a turn on the BBQ. We were most grateful to the minister for spending time with us all.

THE Quarterly NEWS from Footpath in Dove Myer Robinson Park In February 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle and the horrific rainstorms that followed caused half of the original lower path, in Dove-Myer Robinson Park, to drop off the cliff and it was no longer useable or repairable.

This resulted in safety fences being put up to exclude the public.

Work will begin shortly to build a new pathway across “Robbie’s Lawn”, halfway up the bank between where the lower pathway was and the one under Te Hā, the notable Pōhutukawa. The new path will follow the historic pathway used by Māori when they beached their waka at Judges Bay and walked to the markets to trade produce. Sir William Martin (1st Chief Justice) and William Swainson (1st Attorney General) also used the path from their residences in Judges Bay. The original historic pathway will be preserved with the new path/boardwalk above it. It will be suitable for wheelchairs, with two wider areas to accommodate benches. This will be a great addition to the area, giving great views across the harbour and beyond.

Future Events The Executive members meet each month. As well as keeping abreast of heritage issues in the area, another top priority is to plan future events. We have plenty of ideas for these and we look forward to making them happen!

Needless to say, if you have any suggestions for future events, or local places/history/people in which you are interested and which might be suitable subjects for events, please don’t hesitate to contact Sue via the details given below.

Remember, if you would like to take a more active role in Parnell Heritage or to help in any way, please contact Sue (who looks after our administration) at andreassensue@gmail.com / 022 647 5155.

www.parnellheritage.org.nz contact: enquiries@parnellheritage.org.nz / PO Box 37100, Parnell 1151