A dark past
A bright future
Building One
As one of Auckland’s most iconic landmarks, the history of what is now called Building One, formerly Carrington Hospital/Unitec, is known to most. Built as an asylum in 1865, it has gathered a dark reputation over the years. But it has been as much a place of healing as of harm, and for the last 27 years as part of Unitec it has served as a seat of learning.
We envisage a future for Building One which would make it a centrepiece of the local community, a place of creative studios, residencies, holistic well-being centres, community rooms, workshops, and youth and adult education programmes.
In August of 2020 the Trust held an open day at Point Chevalier library, where people could offer suggestions on how Building One could best be used to serve the community; the response was overwhelmingly positive, generating a wealth of ideas to consider.
We have since incorporated these suggestions into a Feasibility Study which has been submitted to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD) and Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau, proposing Building One become an Arts, Creative and Well-being Community Hub. Download the Feasibility Study here.
Currently, the two large wings of Building One—7% of the total floor area—are under threat of demolition to make way for a new road, and PCSET are organising a petition to save them, calling for Solution Not Demolition. Please sign the petition here.
Maori Hall
The Hall, located at 5 Edinburgh St, Newton, off K. Rd, was built in 1907, and is currently owned by the Pacific Island Presbyterian Church (PIPC). It now requires major refurbishment to ensure it is in compliance with all appropriate regulations. The Trust has implemented a three stage programme to bring the Hall up to code and then operate under council’s Unitary Plan.
We have so far funded Stage 1 of the process, having commissioned a Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) for the Hall, which was produced by EQ-Struc in 2019. This provides an assessment of the building’s structural integrity, and forms the basis for refurbishment.
Stage 2 is to raise funds for a Heritage Conservation report and engage a quantity surveyor to provide costings for the necessary work. Stage 3 will be to complete the refurbishment, , allowing Maori Hall to again operate as a hub for church and youth/community activities, continuing on the nearly 115 years of service is has already provided.
Culture
The inner west is one Auckland’s most culturally rich areas, and the Trust’s activities seek to reflect that. Our trustees come from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and celebrating this heritage is a large part of what we do.
Because mixed communities have their own particular character and their own specific challenges, we hope to continue our work in making Point Chevalier and its surrounds a real example of harmony and cooperation.
Events
With a long history in music, performing arts and promotions, the trustees have great experience in planning, organising and managing successful events. From an exhibition of Polynesian culture at the Maori Hall to a performance by Black Grace dance company, we have a commitment to keeping our shared culture dynamic, vibrant and alive.
Markets & Music
Since 2014, the trust has organised and run a regular artisan food and craft market in the Point Chevalier plaza, offering stallholders, musicians and performers a place to sell their wares and share their art for the benefit of all.
Though the restrictions of Covid 19 imposed limitations, we hope to return to a regular schedule of markets over the summer month.s
Art
With help from local boards, businesses and the
community, we have secured funding for local
artists to create dramatic, colourful street art in
a number of locations.