NZHPT Information release
10 June 2011
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base Ohakea’s No.2 and No.3 hangars are being proposed for Category I heritage recognition with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT).
The hangars, completed by the beginning of 1940 to accommodate a bomb squadron of 12 medium bomber planes, have been recognised as two of New Zealand’s great engineering achievements of the 20th century.
NZHPT Heritage Advisor Blyss Wagstaff said for a place to be considered for Category I registration it must have “special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value” as required under the Historic Places Act (1993). The Ohakea hangars fitted that description.
“The hangars are enormous, measuring 94.5 metres by 64 metres. With World War Two looming the availability of steel structuring was limited, so it prompted the use of a unique design that used reinforced arch concrete construction,” Ms Wagstaff said.
“As well as their architectural rarity, the hangars reflect the increased importance placed on aeroplanes leading up to World War Two. The hangars are two of the original structures built at Ohakea, and with only minor changes made to them over the years they continue to be used for the purpose for which they were constructed.”
Following World War Two, the two hangars continued to play a key role with the Air Force at Ohakea. Fixed wing aircraft (No 75 Squadron) currently occupy the No 2 hangar and the Iroquois and Sioux helicopters (No 3 Squadron) are based in the No 3 hangar.
The concrete hangars are rare in New Zealand - the only other examples are the two identically designed hangars built subsequently at Whenuapai Air Base.
The public are invited to make submissions on the proposal to the NZHPT by 21 June. A copy of the registration report is available online at www.historic.org.nz
For more information:
David Watt
Central Region Area Coordinator
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
tel: 04 494 8322 or 027 246 6339
email: dwatt@historic.org.nz
Background Notes
About NZHPT
NZHPT is New Zealand’s lead heritage agency and, on behalf of New Zealanders, identifies, protects and preserves historic places. One aspect of this is working closely with local authorities and property owners to explore options for reusing historic places in place of demolishing them.
Registering historic places
Registration is the inclusion on the NZHPT Register of a place or area that is considered part of New Zealand’s historical and cultural heritage. Places may be included on the Register if they possess aesthetic, archaeological, architectural, cultural, historic, scientific, social, spiritual, technological or traditional values. Under the Historic Places Act 1993, places registered may be accorded a ranking of Category I or II status.
Registration does not provide any direct protection to Category I and II historic places. Protection comes about when local authorities take the lead in protecting their local historic places by scheduling them in their district plans.