A Chance to Preserve Kaiparas Unique Heritage

Kaipara District Council is again offering help to preserve our district’s vital heritage through the Kaipara Heritage Assistance Fund.
The fund was set up in 2006 and as a result of its success Council has again set aside $10,000 for 2008 to help and encourage people to protect and preserve resources of heritage value. These can include historic sites, buildings and archaeological sites. Projects can include archaeological assessments as well as physical preservation.
Individuals, groups - including community groups and organisations - private landowners, iwi and hapu can all apply. But to qualify for funding, projects must:
- be within the Kaipara District
- have the support of the owner of the heritage resource
- be of proven historical significance
- demonstrate some community benefit
- be essential and appropriate to ensure the preservation of the heritage resource
- include a contribution from the applicant
Last year eight projects were funded, including repairs to four historic churches, - St Agnes at Kaihu, Church of the Holy Trinity in Dargaville, Hukatere’s St Michael on the Hill and All Saints at Mititai. Other heritage buildings receiving assistance included the Mangawhai Hall, Dargaville’s former Salvation Army building and the former Dargaville Police Station at Arapohue Bush Camp. Funds were also allocated towards providing an archaeological report for the old brick kiln site at Paparoa.
Six successful projects in 2006 included weatherproofing Dargaville’s iconic Post Office Clock Tower, preparing a conservation plan for Kakaraea Church and restoration of the former Te Kopuru Hospital Flagstaff Memorial.
New Zealand Historic Places Trust’s Northland Manager, Stuart Park, stresses the importance of protecting our unique, rich and varied heritage and is urging Kaipara residents to take up the offer of assistance.
“The knowledge we gain from our past helps communities understand where they have come from and what makes them special,” he says. “Cultural heritage is essential to our well-being and is not just an optional extra. Kaipara District Council is to be applauded for its initiative in helping residents care for the district’s heritage”
Mr Park emphasises that preserving our heritage successfully needs commitment from both private landowners and the community.

Applications to the Kaipara Heritage Assistance Fund close on 31 October 2008. Guidelines and application forms are available from Kaipara District Council service centres or on-line at www.kaipara.govt.nz. More information is also available from the Customer Service Team on 09 439 7059, 0800 727 059 or 0800 100 388.