New Zealand buildings

Press, 2 September 1980, Page 25

New Zealand buildings

“Historic Buildings of New Zealand: North Island” (published by Cassell New Zealand) is the first volume in a two part series, published in conjunction with" the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

It is a story rich in architectural culture and national heritage but is is also more than that. As the editor, Frances Porter also says, in introducing this book to readers — “The volume is not simply a coffee-table book to be casually leafed through. It is not even exhaustively

about buildings. It is chiefly about the people who 'lived in the houses and used the buildings. It is inevitably a history book, but one in which the focus is narrowed doxyn to individuals, families, groups of people, defining in their stories, in the ways they chose to live ana build and decorate, the wider landscape of New Zealand history.” Through a well researched text, matched by many fine illustrations this book demonstrates the continuing need for preservation of our architectural and cultural heritage with descriptions of both modest and majestic architecture from the richly decorated Maori meeting houses of the north, the early colonial, homes of missionaries and early settlers, the simple churches and the great cathedrals to the pastoral mansions of successful sheep farmers and the city landscapes of today.

It vividly captures the style arid dignity of days gone by, preserved for New Zealanders to dwell on and enjoy today. A large number of the important historic buildings open to ■ the public that appear, will be familiar to readers, These include Kemp House, Kerikeri; Mission House, Waimate North; Treaty House, Waitangi; Ewelme Cottage, Auckland; Alberton, Auckland; The Elms, Tauranga; Te Henui Parsonage, New Plymouth; and Hurworth, New Plymouth. As far as possible writers have been left to write freely about the particular aspect of their building’s history which interests them. Bob Burnett has told the story of Kerikeri, the missionary settlement and the port of Ngapuhi; Nan Taylor writes with an intimate knowledge about Westoe, an historic homestead; but also the place she knew as a child.