Demolition day for Aniwaniwa masterpiece

The Department of Conservation will today start to demolish the category one heritage-listed Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre at Lake Waikaremoana.

The building designed by the country’s first registered Maori architect, John Scott, was opened in 1975 and was closed in 2008.

The demolition is opposed by architects and by Ngati Ruapani, whose claim to the lake are yet to be settled.

But it’s backed by Ngai Tuhoe, which is putting up most of the money for a new centre which will incorporate some of the timber from the old centre.

Te Urewera Board chair Tamati Kruger says as designers of the new building, Waikaremoana people will be free to express their world in the unique way they choose.

New Zealand Institute of Architects president Christina van Bohemen says the Department of Conservation’s decision to demolish the centre is entirely consistent with its long neglect of the building.

Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com

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