Celebrate Auckland's unique heritage

From City Scene, published on 26 August, 2007

Celebrate our history! - Auckland City Council's Heritage Festival (15 to 30 September) celebrates the unique stories and events that shaped our city.

Celebrate our city's bicultural roots - Visit Orakei marae and take a tour around Takaparawhau (Bastion Point) at the Orakei Marae Open Day.

Now and then: The Occidental in the 1960s (above) and again today (below). Images courtesy of Auckland City Libraries' Special Collections.

Auckland City Council's Heritage Festival (15 to 30 September) celebrates the unique stories and events that shaped our city. With everything from art and architecture to fashion and music, the festival will appeal to people of all ages and interests. Most events are free or ask for a small donation. Feature events in this year's festival include an art deco fashion parade, Civic Theatre open days, a classic film evening, heritage style high tea, and a great heritage quiz night.

Uncover old places and forgotten spaces

The Auckland Heritage Festival marks the anniversary of the founding of our city on 18 September 1840 - and is part of the council's ongoing efforts to protect heritage areas and buildings.

Environment, Heritage and Urban Form Committee chairperson, Councillor Christine Caughey, says the festival is a great opportunity to uncover old places and forgotten spaces, and reflect on traditions that may have disappeared.

"The growing numbers of events show the extent of local stories to be told," she says. "By learning more about the rich history of Auckland's past, we can build a stronger sense of place, identity and belonging."

The number of events offered at this year's Auckland Heritage Festival has grown due to its popularity. With more than 150 events held across Auckland, there really is something for everyone.

An Auckland Heritage Festival flyer with this week's City Scene explains where you can get details of more than 150 festival events and a festival programme. You can also visit our website or phone 379 2020 for a programme.

How the council values our heritage

Auckland's heritage combines natural and built elements, including the city's volcanic cones, the coastal edge, heritage buildings, ecology, Maori sites, and places of archaeological significance.
Auckland City Council aims to conserve and enhance the city's landscape, buildings and artefacts through rules contained in its district plan, which follow guidelines set down in the Resource Management Act 1991.
The city is a dynamic and changing environment. Auckland City Council aims to balance present-day needs while ensuring heritage qualitiesare not compromised and, if possible, enhanced by development.
Auckland City Council's heritage initiatives encourage property owners to recognise the advantages of conserving heritage items and places. These advantages can be seen in the development of the Britomart precinct; in proposed changes to the district plan that aim to preserve the character of the city; and in the proposed management plan for Maungawhau Mt Eden.

Celebrate our city's bicultural roots

Ngati Whatua o Orakei extend an invitation to Orakei Marae's open day to experience a traditional welcome and learn more about aspects of the culture and history in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) on Saturday, 29 September from 10am to 11am. This unique opportunity to visit the marae will include a formal powhiri and a tour around Takaparawhau (Bastion Point). The settlement of Auckland began with an offer by Te Kawau, the paramount chief of Ngati Whatua ki Tamaki to transfer use rights to 3500 acres of land for a township to be established (roughly equating to today's CBD and inner suburbs of Auckland). On September 18, just after midday, Governor Hobson, along with sailors and officials joined the Ngati Whatua chiefs and their supporters on a small headland called Point Britomart for a foundation ceremony that declared Auckland our nation's capital and opened the way for bicultural settlement. Auckland's founding is proudly celebrated during the annual Auckland Heritage Festival. To book your place at the Orakei Marae Open Day, phone the festival bookings line on 09 307 7242. Image courtesy of Auckland City Libraries' Special Collections.

Auckland's very own leaning tower

The Occidental hotel was built on top of the foundations of blacksmith James McLeod's "Vulcan Forge" which gave the hotel's location on Vulcan Lane its name. During construction in 1870, the old foundations of the forge started to subside under the pressure of the larger building's weight. The builders, unperturbed by this, tried to compensate and as a result, each storey has a slightly different lean. The top storey is the only one that appears to be level (however, this storey is thought to be overcorrected). The hotel's first proprietor, entrepreneurial ex-sailor Edward Perkins, displayed numerous curiosities, such as the "celebrated eight-legged pig and wondrous two-headed calf - a picturesque monstrosity". The Occidental still sports a coloured glass skylight in the roof of the one-storied annex, which provided light in the famous billiard room. For those wanting to see and hear more about The Occidental and other central city treasures, there are intriguing and educational guided CBD heritage tours during the Auckland Heritage Festival. Visit www.aucklandwalks.co.nz for information and phone 0800 300 100 to book.