Heritage et AL

In May 1967 the Auckland Regional Authority (ARA which was succeeded by the Auckland Regional Council, ARC) and the Manukau City Council purchased land in Manurewa for the purpose of creating a regional botanic garden. Proposals for a garden had been discussed over many years, with Auckland sites having first been investigated as early as 1926. During the 1960s, sites were investigated at Cornwall Park, Tamaki and Cascades Park. The ARA was formed in 1963, and in 1964 was approached by a number of organisations to consider purchase of the 82 hectare Nathan Farm at Manurewa prior to it being subdivided. The ARA ended up purchasing 42 hectares, with the Manukau City Council purchasing the remaining 40 hectares, half of which was set aside for open space, and the other half for a planned housing development. The photograph below shows Nathan Farm (to the right of the motorway), before to the purchase. Ref: Footprints 02995, Southern motorway, Manurewa, ca 1964, photograph reproduced...

The first botanic garden in New Zealand was established in Dunedin 150 years ago, and there are events taking place in the city to mark the occasion.  One such event is a photographic exhibition that will run August through to November, and will be held at the Dunedin Public Library. The Botanic gardens are more than important to Dunedin however. In 2010 they were ranked as a Garden of International Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust , a ranking aimed at attracting overseas visitors. They are the only public garden on the list, although neighbouring Larnach Castle also has an international ranking.  Ref: 35-R426, Botanical Gardens, Dunedin, 1917, Sir George Grey Special Collections

To celebrate Chinese New Year (also see the earlier post on 21 January 2013), we have been busy pinning up great heritage photos on Historypin. The images show locations and activities in Auckland associated with Chinese communities. The collection of images on Historypin  has two parts. The first is Old Chinatown in the centre of Auckland, around Greys Avenue, Hobson and Cook Streets. The first shop and business in this area was recorded in 1895. Other shops and businesses as well as a mission hall, masonic lodge and housing were quickly established. The images chosen show key locations in Old Chinatown, a landscape which will be both familiar and unfamiliar to present day Aucklanders. In an attempt to 'clean up the area', by 1964 Old Chinatown had been demolished to make way for new developments such as Myers Park, council flats and Auckland Town Hall. Ref: 4-2212, Chinese Mission Hall, Sir George Grey Special Collections