Heritage

Historic Places Trust Approval

The NZ Historic Places Trust (the Trust) needed to consider how the Inner City Bypass construction work might affect archaeological materials in the area, to decide whether to give archaeological consents to build the new section of road.

In May 2002, the Trust gave Transit archaeological approval for the Bypass to be built through the Te Aro area, subject to conditions.  The Te Aro Heritage Trust and Campaign for a Better City appealed these approvals.

In December 2003, the Trust granted archaeological approval for the Bypass to be built, following the High Court dismissing all appeals.  The conditions included relocation and restoration of heritage buildings and access for an archaeological investigation.

Transit and the Trust both consulted extensively with interested individuals and groups, and gathered information relating to historic and cultural values of the area and buildings, to ascertain whether construction might provide evidence of pre-1900 New Zealand.

Substantial information on archaeological material was also collated as part of Transit's submissions to the Wellington City Council in 1995, and this was included in the application to the Trust, together with additional information given by the public.

In its decision the Trust noted: "The Trust recognises and commends Transit New Zealand on the efforts they have made to provide for the long-term preservation of many of the buildings in the project area."

"Without a substantial investment of time and money, the future of many of the buildings would have looked grim. The Trust believes that the best outcomes for heritage in this case can be achieved through granting the applications with appropriate conditions."

"The ongoing survival of these buildings is an important aspect of the proposal [to build the Inner City Bypass]."

"The Trust looks forward to working with Transit as there is huge potential to make a valuable and meaningful contribution to the knowledge and understanding of the settlement and growth of inner city Wellington."

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Historic Places Trust Conditions

As part of the conditions of the NZ Historic Places Trust consent, Transit and the Trust have carried out a thorough investigation of the buildings and area. Transit has prepared an archaeological research strategy for this work.

"It is intended that this strategy will direct the archaeological work towards questions relating to the cultural history of the distinctive social enclave at Tonks Ave and the early history and development of inner city Wellington." NZ Historic Places Trust, noted in written consent.

The Trust will direct archaeological investigations of the less tampered with areas in the Central [Kensington Street to Cuba Street] and Eastern [Cuba Street to Cambridge Terrace] sections of work, with Transit’s archaeologists undertaking the investigations in the Western [Terrace Tunnel to Kensington Street] sections of work.

Transit has prepared a management plan to guide day-to-day work in the area. This ensures work is carried in a way that respects the archaeological and heritage values of the area.

Further conditions of the Trust's consent are for Transit to provide opportunities for public education and sharing of information, and put in place security measures to protect archaeological and heritage places.