A tour of the Arts Centre, Christchurch, is New Zealand’s largest collection of Category 1 heritage buildings. It demonstrates the complexities of restoration with completed and damaged buildings side by side. The trust which owns the Arts Centre fortunately had increased their insurance cover prior to the earthquakes and the Great Hall is now in excellent condition and has won a UNESCO award along with the clock tower for Cultural Heritage Conservation. A boutique hotel within the Arts Centre is planned. In the former library building which is now an art gallery we admired an exhibition by Elizabeth Thomson who creates stunning works comprised of leaves carved from zinc.
Philip & Penny Porritt
Members, Friends of Te Papa