• Recent updates

  • Sign up for our newsletter

    * = required field
  • Midland park

    (Untitled)

    Taranaki West Wharf Terraces and Lagoon

    Te Wharewaka - Taranaki West Wharf Terraces and Lagoon

    Taranaki West Wharf Wharawaka Upper Terrace

    Midland Park

    Taranaki West Wharf Wharawaka Terraces and kayak

    (Untitled)

    (Untitled)

    Tinakori Hill Lookout

    Subject to Change, by Regan Gentry

    Ahumairangi

    Frenzy

    no. 4

    no. 1

    Patent slip

    Motor Home Park

    no. 3

    Central Park

    Central Park

9 June 2021

Te Ngākau-Wellington Civic Centre Seminar: 15th May 2021


Summary Notes – Mayor’s Presentation and Sessions 1 – 5

Te Ngākau A.M. Slides Compilation

Te Ngākau P.M. Slides Compilation

SEMINAR SUMMARY

The seminar held in the Public Trust Building’s Main Hall provided a broad forum for both civic leaders and professionals from various disciplines to explain the past and current context of Te Ngākau-Wellington Civic Precinct, and closed with a workshop by the participants that worked to develop ideas responding to specific questions related to the planning process for a redeveloped centre.

Moderated by Dame Kerry Prendergast, Wellington’s Mayor between 2001 and 2010, opened with a karakia by Peter Jackson, followed by an address from the Mayor Andy Foster recapping the development of the Centre since the land’s initial reclamation, the seminar touched on a broad range of subjects:

The original Maori settlement and movements
Early European settlement
The development of the Precinct from the first buildings until today
Climate and earthquake resilience programmes
Social and business activities, and civic use of the Precinct
Community development and inner city residents
Where to from here

4 May 2021

Te Ngakau – Wellington Civic Centre – Seminar details and registration link


Te Ngakau – Seminar details and registration link

The Wellington Civic Trust is organising a seminar on future possibilities and what the citizens of Wellington would like to see for their civic center.

– Explore the history, role and importance of the Civic Precinct
– Understand current proposals for the Precinct and its open spaces
– Develop ideas around needs and opportunities to make the Precinct work for everyone

Date:  15 May 2021, from 09:15 a.m. to 04.00 p.m.

Venue:  PUBLIC TRUST HALL – corner Lambton Quay and Stout St.

Attendance is free with morning tea provided but koha welcome.

REGISTRATION: Please follow the Eventfinda link above

27 November 2021

RMA Amendment and Draft Spatial Plan Submissions


The included links take you to Wellington Civic Trust’s submissions for

  1. Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply And Other Matters) Amendment Bill (November 2021): RMA Amendment Bill
  2. Wellington City Council Planning For Growth – Our City Tomorrow Draft Spatial Plan (October 2020): Draft Spatial Plan

The Trust remains concerned about the complexity of the submissions process.

With respect to the RMA Amendment Bill (1. above), there is concern about the urgency that the Amendment is being put through while Local Bodies are making progress in meeting the National Policy Statement – Urban Development (NPS-UD).

With respect to the submission for the Draft Spatial Plan (2. above, presented in October 2020), the Trust has a mixed response of support and concerns.

We consider that the Draft Spatial Plan responds satisfactorily to the City Goals established in 2017, and we recognise that the Spatial Plan underpins the District Plan, a draft of which is currently open for submissions (November 2021).

There is a concern that no provision is made for monitoring and updating the plan; and while the Spatial Plan is general in nature, it is not specific enough to give form to the intentions of how major developments will be managed.

  • Inner city intensification
  • Prioritizing areas of change
  • Three Waters
  • Sustainability

These concerns flow through to areas of specific interest to the Trust:

  • Green spaces and biodiversity
  • Shelley Bay
  • Lambton Harbour

11 December 2019

Wellington Civic Trust Awards 2019


The 2019 Wellington Civic Trust Awards celebration was held
on the 10th December, with the results as follows:

WELLINGTON CIVIC TRUST EXCELLENCE AWARD

 Winner: Press Hall Development

 Awarded to Cheops Holdings and McKee-Fehl Constructors Ltd

 Judges’ Citation

“This is an exciting project by a private developer which has carved out a laneway creating a new lively public space, used and enjoyed by all sectors of the community. In the words of the nominator “Press hall is a gamechanger that redefines how our cool little capital gathers, eats and laughs…”. It is an excellent example of a design solution that enhances the life of the street, and those who enjoy the redeveloped building.”

 Runner up: G. McCarthy Trust Building

Awarded to 60 Cuba Ltd and mc architecture studio ltd

Judges’ Citation

“We received several excellent nominations for earthquake strengthening of character buildings in Wellington city. We decided to especially acknowledge the redevelopment of the T. G. McCarthy Trust Building at 60 Cuba street, as an example of an almost derelict building being given a new lease of life and new uses which relate well to the shared public space of lower Cuba Street. May many others follow this example.”

Highly Commended: Egmont, Eva and Leeds street Laneways 

 Awarded to Wellington City Council

Judges’ Citation

“We would like to acknowledge the commitment and interest of WCC to enhance these small public spaces and laneways in giving the pair of Egmont and Eva/Leeds streets a highly Commended award. This award particularly recognises the design, placement and quality of the street furniture in Egmont street. More quality investment in these lanes will add vibrancy, safety and street inhabitation to these inner-city passageways.”

Highly Commended: Te Mara Apartments

 Awarded to Wellington City Council and Novak + Middleton Architects

 Judges’ Citation

 “Te Mara also receives a Highly Commended Award. It is a fantastic example of a joint venture between a Territorial Authority and Government to produce a robust, flexible and high-quality innercity housing development – a modern example of Centennial Flats. As Te Mara means “the garden” we’d love to see the central area as a more living and productive garden for the inhabitants.”

GRANT TILLY MEMORIAL AWARD

 Winner: Public Trust Hall

 Awarded to Cheops Holdings and McKee-Fehl Constructors Ltd

 Judges’ Citation

“This incredibly important heritage Building – Heritage NZ category 1 – was recently deemed impossible to strengthen and faced demolition. It has been beautifully and carefully restored and is a significant building both in its street context and the cultural memory of Wellingtonians. The creation of ground floor public space has increased the success of the restoration and is an asset to the city.”

 Highly Commended: Centennial Flats

Awarded to Kāinga Ora Homes and Communities and Architecture Cubed Ltd

 Judges’ Citation

“The complete restoration of this housing complex, including retention of the central community spaces, has embraced the people living there. The project, originally designed by the Ministry of Works under Gordon Wilson, and with a Heritage NZ category 1 listing, is an excellent example of 1940’s public housing, done well.”

PEOPLES’ CHOICE AWARD 2019

Winner: The Pavilion, Bridging and Decking on the Wellington Waterfront

 Awarded to Wellington Waterfront and the Isthmus Group

Our congratulations to the winners, and thanks to all 
who participated.

What we stand for

Since the Wellington Civic Trust’s establishment in 1981 our aim has been to help make Wellington the best of all possible places to live and work.

We work to:

  • encourage public participation in decisions that affect our city
  • ensure good planning and design to address the challenges of the future
  • preserve the best of the old, but encourage new development which will enhance our city
  • protect and enhance the unique character and the many natural features of the city, including the skyline, the town belt and the harbour
  • encourage green space and environmentally conscious development
  • develop a pedestrian- and cycle-friendly environment
  • safeguard the waterfront as a public amenity
  • support transport options that enhance the city and health

What we do

The Trust exists to give Wellingtonians the opportunity to have a say in their city’s future.

  • Every two years the Trust organizes a full-day seminar, inviting members and the public to hear broad-ranging and expert views on issues critical to the city’s development. It then provides planners and decision-makers with guidance on what the people of Wellington want.
  • The Trust’s Bienniel Awards recognize outstanding urban projects.
  • The Trust looks at proposed developments for the city and where there are concerns it makes submissions to Council.

How we do it

Over many years the Trust has earned the respect of the Wellington City Council and government groups.  It has the ability to get things done by bringing together those who seek action and those who have the authority to act.

The Wellington Civic Trust is made up of both individual and business members — planners, architects, engineers and citizens. It has achieved much over the years by seeking answers, making submissions and making appeals on decisions.

Become a member

If you are interested in protecting and enhancing the quality of life our city offers we would welcome your membership and support. As a member, you will

  • receive regular newsletters and seminar invitations
  • have an effective forum for discussing the city’s future
  • have the benefit of the Trust’s commitment to listening to the public’s concerns and taking action to address these.
31 March 2019

WCT Statement of Evidence: Proposed Natural Resources Plan


Statement of Evidence on the Proposed Natural Resources Plan

7 August 2018

Wellington After Paris: Zero Carbon Capital City


The Wellington Civic Trust is organising a “Wellington after Paris” seminar that will provide a unique insight into the benefits to our city’s wellbeing, resiliency, and natural and cultural heritage as we transition to carbon neutrality.

Download the flyer here.

26 February 2018

Let’s Get Wellington Moving Media Statement


A media statement on the Civic Trust’s submission to Let’s Get Wellington Moving can be found here.

1 October 2017

Civic Trust Newsletter – September 2017


To view the Civic Trust Newsletter for September click here.

31 August 2017

Trust Submission on Shelly Bay


Download the full submission here: Proposal for development of Shelly Bay 2017

31 August 2017

Trust Submission on Site 9


Download the full submission here: Proposed building on Site 9 2017