Latest news with #NPDC
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Historic Inglewood Standing Proud With Help From NPDC Heritage Fund
The makeover of Inglewood's historic commercial heart for the town's 150th anniversary is continuing with help from NPDC's Heritage Building Fund. Originally built on the corner of Matai and Kelly streets in 1875, Fern Lodge is a two-storey building burned down and was rebuilt in 1905. The $30,000 grant from NPDC's Heritage Building Fund contributed to much needed repairs to the aging weatherboards, window frames and other fixtures as well as repainting the entire outside of the building, said owner Mike Smart. 'Inglewood is the hub of Taranaki with a lot of people coming in from all directions. The town's heritage buildings make it a place where people want to stop and visit, and they make it a great place to live. We're proud of Inglewood's historic character, so the funding is important to our economy and community identity,' said Mr Smart. NPDC District Planning Supervisor Lauren O'Byrne said it was important to protect and celebrate the district's heritage, especially in a town with as many historic buildings as Inglewood. 'Our history is essential to sustaining our district's prosperity. Looking after our heritage buildings ensures it remains a place where people want to live, work and invest and whānau want to raise their tamariki. The heritage building grants also help local jobs and businesses who do the work,' said Ms O'Byrne. The fund also contributed to sprucing up the Railway Hotel, built in 1876 on the corner of Rata and Moa streets, and the Deem and Shearer building, better known now as Caffe Windsor on the corner of Matai and Kelly streets, which dates from 1875. Applications to the fund are open until 4 July and building and business owners can apply through the NPDC website: Built, Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection Funds FAST FACTS Inglewood/Kōhanga Moa was established in 1875 with many of the first European inhabitants coming from Britain, East Prussia (now in Poland), Denmark and Switzerland. The railway from New Plymouth reached the town in 1876 and its railway station is the oldest in Aotearoa still in its original location. Sacred Heart Catholic Church, built by Polish immigrants on Standish Street in 1899, received $25,000 towards the cost of repainting the Category A protected building in 2023. Inglewood Library, one of five NPDC community libraries, celebrated its centenary in 2024. Inglewood's historic town hall was built in 1913 and can still be booked for events. Inglewood has 12 protected heritage structures in the 143 protected structures across New Plymouth District.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Dynamic Duo Volunteer Closing In On Century Of Service At TSB Showplace
Press Release – New Plymouth District Council This week is National Volunteer Week, and at NPDC there are more than 500 volunteers across a range of venues including Brooklands Zoo, Pukekura Park, Puke Ariki Libraries and Museum, TSB Stadium, Stadium Taranaki, TSB Showplace and Bowl of Brooklands, … With almost a century of experience between them, veteran volunteers Delwyn Singh and Robyn Schultz have seen it all at NPDC's TSB Showplace. Delwyn, 73, has volunteered at the venue 55 years, while Robyn, 68, has clocked up 44 years. 'I got into this by accident, I was at a basketball game and the coach at the end of the game asked the group, 'is anyone free this evening? I'm short of staff at the Opera house (TSB Showplace)' and two of us put our hands up and I've been here ever since,' said Delwyn. 'It's good fun (volunteering); you meet lots of wonderful people.' This week is National Volunteer Week, and at NPDC there are more than 500 volunteers across a range of venues including Brooklands Zoo, Pukekura Park, Puke Ariki Libraries and Museum, TSB Stadium, Stadium Taranaki, TSB Showplace and Bowl of Brooklands, as well events such as TSB Festival of Lights. Delwyn said it was while volunteering that she was lucky enough to meet Sir Elton John when he performed at Bowl of Brooklands in 2007 and said another highlight has been seeing many young local kids grow into talented stage performers. 'I've been to many shows and seen kids grow throughout their performing arts career – it's just wonderful really.' Robyn is an only child and says her love for performing arts started as a teenager. 'I don't have a big family, so being part of the TSB Showplace, it feels like an extended family for me. 'I can't emphasise how much you get back from doing something for your community. As long as I can walk and can get to the theatre – I would like to volunteer as long as physically possible.' Over the years, the pair have volunteered as ushers, ticket scanners/wardens and have been front of house liaisons not only at TSB Showplace but other council venues. NPDC's TSB Showplace Lead Fraser Ross says volunteers are the heart of all their shows and events. 'Delwyn and Robyn are very passionate about what they do and it's great having people that care and really want to give back to their community,' says Fraser. 'It's quite fitting to give them a big shout-out during National Volunteer Week for the hard work they do behind the scenes, because without them the show wouldn't go on.' In 2024, volunteers at NPDC clocked up almost 15,000 hours. to find out where there are available roles.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Dynamic Duo Volunteer Closing In On Century Of Service At TSB Showplace
With almost a century of experience between them, veteran volunteers Delwyn Singh and Robyn Schultz have seen it all at NPDC's TSB Showplace. Delwyn, 73, has volunteered at the venue 55 years, while Robyn, 68, has clocked up 44 years. 'I got into this by accident, I was at a basketball game and the coach at the end of the game asked the group, 'is anyone free this evening? I'm short of staff at the Opera house (TSB Showplace)' and two of us put our hands up and I've been here ever since,' said Delwyn. 'It's good fun (volunteering); you meet lots of wonderful people.' This week is National Volunteer Week, and at NPDC there are more than 500 volunteers across a range of venues including Brooklands Zoo, Pukekura Park, Puke Ariki Libraries and Museum, TSB Stadium, Stadium Taranaki, TSB Showplace and Bowl of Brooklands, as well events such as TSB Festival of Lights. Delwyn said it was while volunteering that she was lucky enough to meet Sir Elton John when he performed at Bowl of Brooklands in 2007 and said another highlight has been seeing many young local kids grow into talented stage performers. 'I've been to many shows and seen kids grow throughout their performing arts career - it's just wonderful really.' Robyn is an only child and says her love for performing arts started as a teenager. 'I don't have a big family, so being part of the TSB Showplace, it feels like an extended family for me. 'I can't emphasise how much you get back from doing something for your community. As long as I can walk and can get to the theatre - I would like to volunteer as long as physically possible.' Over the years, the pair have volunteered as ushers, ticket scanners/wardens and have been front of house liaisons not only at TSB Showplace but other council venues. NPDC's TSB Showplace Lead Fraser Ross says volunteers are the heart of all their shows and events. 'Delwyn and Robyn are very passionate about what they do and it's great having people that care and really want to give back to their community,' says Fraser. 'It's quite fitting to give them a big shout-out during National Volunteer Week for the hard work they do behind the scenes, because without them the show wouldn't go on.' In 2024, volunteers at NPDC clocked up almost 15,000 hours. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with us, go to to find out where there are available roles.
RNZ News
14-06-2025
- RNZ News
New bridge, walkway protecting historic Hauranga Pā in Taranaki opens
NPDC project delivery manager Sean Cressy says it's great to get the project over the line. Photo: Supplied/NPDC A new bridge and walkway protecting the historic Hauranga Pā site near Ōākura in Taranaki has opened. The project, led by New Plymouth District Council in collaboration with mana whenua and the Kaitake Community Board, focused on a walkway given the name Te Ara Tahuri Hau (pathway of wind changes), which was supported by a rock revetment protecting the wāhi tapu site and allowing access around the headland at high tide. It also included a replacement for the footbridge over the Whenu Ariki Stream destroyed during ex-tropical Cyclone Dovi in 2022. Ngāti Tairi and Ngā Mahanga hapū raised concern that people crossing the pā were damaging it, a claim supported by two archaeologists' reports. As a result, informal walking and cycle trails had developed, damaging the pā , a heavily populated site in pre-European times, and exposing archaeological features. New Plymouth District Council - which managed the Weld Road Coastal Reserve - approved a $570,000 bridge, rockwall and walkway traversing the headland in 2021 and Taranaki Regional Council consents were granted last year . The completed project cost about $2 million, with about $440,000 of funding from the NZ Transport Agency. Ngāti Tairi representative Keith Manukonga says Hauranga Pā is one of the largest pā in the Tataraimaka district. Photo: Supplied/NPDC NPDC project delivery manager Sean Cressy said it was great to get the project over the line. "A lot of time and effort has gone into protecting the sensitive heritage and ecology of the site, and we've had widespread community and hapū support for the new bridge and walkway, which showcases our historic and scenic coastline for locals and visitors. "NPDC is committed to protecting the historic Hauranga Pā, so we designed the bridge and pathway together as a great route for walkers and cyclists to enjoy the coast while still respecting the archaeological and wāhi tapu site. "The sensitive coastal environment required extensive technical input into the project." Ngāti Tairi representative Keith Manukonga said Hauranga Pā was one of the largest pā in the Tataraimaka district, and held deep cultural and historical significance to mana whenua. "Te Ara Tahuri Hau will help people to respect this site and its significance. It's a very nice walkway and we trust people will use it and enjoy it.". Cressy said the construction window was tight to work around the penguins and other wildlife during nesting seasons. Ramps and handrails on the new bridge were built with help from seven Taranaki students in the Build a Bridge training programme, a partnership of NPDC, WITT Te Pūkenga and the building industry to give teenagers valuable job skills. Cressy said in recent years, it has been a popular link for walkers and cyclists between the Timaru and Whenu Ariki streams, and this was regarded as a risk to the site's archaeological features. On the new shared pathway, cyclists must walk their bikes around for the safety of other users. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Scoop
Te Ara Tahuri Hau Walkway And New Whenu Ariki Bridge To Protect Historic Hauranga Pā Site
A new bridge and walkway to protect the historic Hauranga Pā site near Ōākura is now open with awesome views of the Taranaki coast. The project, led by NPDC in close collaboration with mana whenua and Kaitake Community Board, focuses on Te Ara Tahuri Hau (pathway of wind changes) supported by a rock revetment protecting the wāhi tapu site and allowing access around the headland at high tide. It also included a replacement for the footbridge over the Whenu Ariki Stream that was destroyed during ex-tropical Cyclone Dovi in 2022. 'It's great to get this over the line after a lot of time and effort to protect the sensitive heritage and ecology of the site, but we've had widespread community and hapū support for the new bridge and walkway, which showcase our historic and scenic coastline for locals and visitors alike,' said NPDC Project Delivery Manager Sean Cressy following a blessing on Thursday. 'NPDC is committed to protecting the historic Hauranga Pā, so we designed the bridge and pathway together as a great route for walkers and cyclists to enjoy the coast while still respecting the archaeological and wāhi tapu site. The sensitive coastal environment required extensive technical input into the project.' Hauranga Pā, within the tribal area of Ngāti Tairi, was one of the largest pā in the Tataraimaka district. It holds deep cultural and historical significance to mana whenua, said Ngāti Tairi representative Keith Manukonga. 'Te Ara Tahuri Hau will help people to respect this site and its significance. It's a very nice walkway and we trust people will use it and enjoy it,' said Mr Manukonga. The construction window was tight to work around the penguins and other wildlife during nesting seasons. The ramps and handrails on the new bridge were built with help from seven Taranaki students in the Build a Bridge training programme, a partnership of NPDC, WITT Te Pūkenga and the building industry to give teenagers valuable job skills and the option of a future in construction when they leave school. In recent years, it has been a popular link for walkers and cyclists between the Timaru and Whenu Ariki streams, and this was regarded as a risk to the site's archaeological features. On the new shared pathway, cyclists must walk their bikes around for the safety of other users. The bridge and walkway cost about $2 million, with about $440k of funding from the NZ Transport Agency - Waka Kotahi.
