Heritage and Cultural Values - Heritage and Cultural Values
Case Study
Te Aroha Conservation Area
The township of Te Aroha is characterised by a significant number of architecturally and historically significant buildings which provide evidence of the towns rich history. The buildings in the area have a variety of ages and characteristics. In addition to the main street, there are a number of historically significant buildings in the surrounding streets. The buildings provide a social and physical continuity from the past to the present and it is important they are protected and maintained for future generations.
However, there has been some significant losses of historic features in the area over the years. The
demolition of buildings on some key sites and inappropriate alterations to some buildings have resulted in some of the value and charm of the area being lost.
The buildings in the main street demonstrate the periods of development that have occurred in the town and many of them are still intact. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust register lists 20 buildings in the Te Aroha Conservation area as either class I or class II historic sites. The Matamata- Piako District Plan identifies these buildings as well as an additional 16 buildings and three Waahi Tapu sites which are considered to have significant historical value.
All of the listed buildings are protected from inappropriate use and development by special rules in the
Matamata Piako District Plan. The Plan requires resource consents to be obtained for any work on the buildings which is not considered to be minor, including all activities that affect the appearance of the buildings.
Matamata- Piako District Council commissioned a “Townscape and Heritage Report” (1992) for the Te Aroha area. The report outlines the historic importance of the town and recommended an approach to co-ordinating the protection and enhancement of the areas heritage features. Since 1992, $698,000 has been spent on enhancing some of Te Aroha’s heritage features, such as the Arts Centre and Town Clock. Another $80,000 as been set aside in the Council's Annual Plan for the next five years for work on the Te Aroha Domain.
