Source: Heritage New Zealand
The project to replace thousands of shingles on New Zealand’s oldest building is underway.
Workers have carefully removed the weathered wooden roof tiles from 204-year-old Kemp House in Kerikeri – and are finding out what lurks beneath.
And the news is basically good.
“The shingles might be on their last legs, but the wooden structure underneath – including the original kauri beams that were shaped by carpenters over two centuries ago – are in incredibly good condition for their age,” says Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Northern Assets Manager, Boris Bogdanovich who is overseeing the project.
“There is a bit of old borer damage, but that will be fixed in a way that respects the heritage fabric of the original timbers.”
Henwood Construction Ltd of Kerikeri is leading the re-roofing project, which began with the covering of Kemp House with a white waterproof membrane to protect the building while the new roof is being installed. The company has had extensive experience working on historic buildings and has worked with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga in the past.
“We’ve had a fairly dry winter so far which has been really good. It would be great if that weather were to continue, but if not, our waterproof covering will protect the house from any rain damage,” says Boris.
Built in 1821-22 by missionary carpenters and Māori sawyers, Kemp House is an important remnant of early contact between Māori and Pakeha. The mission was established by the Church Missionary Society in 1819 under the protection of influential rangatira Hongi Hika. Two centuries later, the house still embodies this early shared history.
Kemp House and its gardens were passed down through the Kemp family – descendants of missionaries James and Charlotte Kemp – until Ernest Kemp generously gifted them to the nation through the then New Zealand Historic Places Trust/Pouhere Taonga in 1974.
Today it is a Tohu Whenua and one of a number of significant historic places cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga around the country.
“As the earliest surviving building in New Zealand, Kemp House has national and international significance, as a built marker of the foundational relationships developed between local Māori and the British in the 20 years prior to the signing of the Treaty at Waitangi,” says Boris.
“Kemp House has high public esteem as a cradle of nationhood, and attracts large numbers of local and international visitors every year. It’s great to see the project underway, and we hope to reveal Kemp House’s new roof in time for summer.”
An appeal to raise funds for the roof restoration project was launched earlier this year among Heritage New Zealand supporters, and now the organisation is looking to widen its approach to the general public for support.
“Unanticipated price hikes in the cost of materials caused by rising fuel prices have stretched the budget for this project to the limit,” says Boris.
The nature of this kind of work also throws up surprises which he says are impossible to anticipate and budget for.
“For example, where there’s deterioration, we’re using traditional and 21st century techniques and materials to sensitively re-introduce lost strength where its needed. We’re also wanting to stabilise and repair fabric with the least loss, greatest respect for its context and best durability. And that’s where the original budget gets stretched. Every little bit of support from Kiwis really helps, and we’re so grateful to all those people who have already donated.”
People wanting to support the project can follow the link: www.heritage.org.nz/donate