August 23, 2016
Historic whare to become scrap wood
The Department of Conservation says some of the timber from the Aniwaniwa Visitor's Centre by Lake Waikaremoana could be used in Tuhoe's new Te Urewera centre.
The department has applied to demolish the listed historic building, which is considered one of the most significant buildings by John Scott, the first registered Maori architect.
Department spokesperson Steve Brightwell says the building was deemed unsafe and closed in 2008, and the most recent advice is it would cost $3 million to bring up to a useable standartd.
Tuhoe is building a new wharehou to reestablish itself on the shores of Lake Waikaremoana, which will include visitor facilities.
Mr Brightwell says DOC is working with the iwi on the project as part of the Crown’s partnership in Te Urewera.
Ngati Ruapani, which also has connections to the area and is currently contesting a Maori Land Court decision to assign its shares in the lake to a trust board, wants to retain the existing building and says it can be brought up to standard for a reasonable cost.
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