Source: Auckland Council
Aucklander’s wanting to preserve and enhance historic heritage places can seek funding through the Regional Historic Heritage Grant Programme which has opened for funding today, 5 October.
Individuals, iwi or Māori groups, community groups and trusts can apply for up to $50,000 to support the restoration or preservation of heritage places.
Councillor Chris Darby, Planning Committee Chair, says: “Our heritage places provide a sense of history and pride in our communities and create a legacy to pass on to future generations.
“Currently 74 per cent of Auckland’s protected heritage places are on private land, which means that landowners bear the costs of persevering this heritage for all Aucklanders.
“Auckland Council’s grant programme can assist these individuals or groups to continue caring for heritage places, so that local communities and the wider Auckland region can enjoy these special places, rich with history, for years to come.
“We are especially interested in projects that support the kaitiakitanga of Māori cultural heritage. With more than 700 Māori heritage sites protected in the Auckland Unitary Plan, these places need to be safeguarded and strengthened as they are a precious part of our history in Tāmaki Makaurau,” says Councillor Darby.
The Regional Historic Heritage Grant Programme (RHHGP) opens on 4 October and closes 15 November 2021. Projects that are granted funding will be able to access their funds and begin work from March 2022.
The funding priorities for the 2021/2022 round include:
- Conservation of regionally significant historic heritage places
- Conservation of at-risk historic heritage places, including initiatives which address the impacts of climate change
- Supporting kaitiakitanga of Māori cultural heritage
- Heritage and character in town centres
- Support the retention and maintenance of notable trees
Avondale’s pride and joy, The Hollywood Theatre, has had many roles over the years. It was dubbed by Quentin Tarantino as “the best cinema in New Zealand”. Built in 1915 as Avondale Town Hall the neo-classical building needs some repairs.
Through the Whau Local Board Grant Programme last year the owners received funding towards the reroofing of the theatre and the historic community hall next door. This is an example of the type of projects that can receive financial assistance through the Historic Heritage Regional Grants Programme, projects that seek to preserve and protect Auckland’s precious heritage places.
You can learn more about these grants and the application process at an online workshop being held this Friday.
Workshop details:
Date: Friday 8 October
Time: 12.30 – 1.30pm
Please RSVP by emailing grants@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for the calendar invite.
More information about the Regional Historic Heritage Grants Programme, as well as a link to apply, can be found here.
