Heritage Bypass more than just a road
New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information Release
18 July 2008
The opening of the Kerikeri Heritage Bypass by Prime Minster Helen Clark
today marks the beginning of a new era for Kerikeri, and a new level of
appreciation for New Zealand's heritage according to the head of the country's
lead heritage protection agency.
Bruce Chapman, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust,
today congratulated the Prime Minister and the Ministry for Culture and
Heritage for their commitment to the bypass project.
"The Kerikeri Heritage Bypass is more than just a new road. It represents
a highly significant undertaking to preserve one of New Zealand's most
important early contact sites," says Mr Chapman.
"The new bypass has meant that the road bridge adjacent to Kemp
House - which has exacerbated the effects of flooding over the years,
most recently in March last year - can now be dismantled. That means the
future of two of New Zealand's oldest buildings has just got a whole lot
better."
Besides the obvious benefits to Kemp House and the Stone Store, both
of which are operated by the Historic Places Trust, removal of through-traffic
from the Basin will help reinforce the area's historic sense of place,
while creating an inspiring public space for locals and visitors alike
to enjoy.
"The Kororipo-Kerikeri Basin is the country's oldest continuously
occupied site shared by Maori and Pakeha, and as such represents a rare
surviving example of a place of encounter and relationship-building between
two worlds. For these reasons, the Kororipo-Kerikeri Basin is on the New
Zealand Tentative List for consideration as a World Heritage site,"
says Mr Chapman.
"The encounters that took place here laid the foundation for the
agreement that would later be signed at Waitangi and elsewhere, and for
the development of New Zealand as a bicultural nation and modern state."
The investment in the new Kerikeri Heritage Bypass reflects the historic
significance of the buildings and surrounding area.
"The Historic Places Trust wants future generations of New Zealanders
to be able to enjoy Kemp House, the Stone Store and the rich heritage
of the Basin for themselves as people have been able to do for decades,"
says Mr Chapman.
"The Heritage Bypass will help ensure that these buildings will
be around for many years to come."
For further information/media contact
:John O'Hare
Heritage Adviser Media & Marketing
Ph 09 401 7582 or 027 274 4217
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