Historic Hanmer building restoration hit by rising costs
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The restoration of an historic Hanmer Springs building remains on track, despite a budget blowout.
The Hurunui District Council will seek a $300,00 grant from the Rata Foundation towards a $425,000 funding shortfall for the restoration of the former Soldiers’ Block in the Queen Mary Historic Reserve.
The Soldiers’ Block was opened in 1916 to rehabilitate soldiers returning from World War I, and was later used as a drug and alcohol treatment facility, while the site also has cultural significance for Ngāti Kurī.
Speaking at Tuesday’s (August 27) council meeting, chief strategy and community officer Judith Batchelor said the project budget has been revised to $3.6 million, after just under $3.18m was budgeted in the council’s 2023 annual plan.
She said the funding shortfall was due to expected increases in materials costs and changes to the heating system, while the removal of linings and floor coverings revealed structural elements which were not shown on the original building plans.
The remaining $125,000 will be funded from the Queen Mary Development Contributions Fund.
The funding will allow the first two stages of the project to be completed, with the building on track to reopen on Anzac Day next year.
Stage one is earthquake strengthening and bringing the building to code, while stage two will see the main hall reinstated for community use.
The long-term vision will be to establish a museum with an interactive experience called ‘‘A Place of Light and Life’’, which will tell the story of the site.
But it will require the community to raise a further $6 million and discussions have begun around creating a temporary exhibition.
Batchelor said conversations have already been held with the Rata Foundation.
‘‘Our conversations with Rata have been around how we can keep the story alive during the different stages of the project.
‘‘We have a video and bed and I’m confident we can get our hands on more information for the exhibition space to provide a wet weather activity and an educational opportunity for the 15,000 school children that visit Hanmer Springs.’’
The council also approved the use of $430,000, from interest accrued from the Queen Mary Development Contributions Fund, to help kick start fundraising efforts for the next stage.
Hanmer Springs councillor Tom Davies said developing the Queen Mary Historic Reserve, including the Soldiers’ Block, is ‘‘a key anchor project for Hanmer Springs’’.
‘‘The support of the locals is just amazing,’’ he said.
‘‘I have been lucky enough to have a look inside a couple of times and now that the panels have been removed you can see the architectural genius of the building.
‘‘It is an absolute gem for Hurunui and it will be something we can be so proud of when it is finished.’’
The $3.6m restoration project is being funded by a Lotteries grant, $1.5m from the Government’s Better Off funding, development contributions and a grant from the council’s Earthquake Prone Buildings Fund.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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49.5% Yes
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48.6% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Education changes: Area schools ‘copping it from all directions’
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury principal says area schools are ‘‘copping it from all directions’’ with Government changes to education.
Amuri Area School principal Matt Barlow has written to Education Minister Erica Stanford to ask whether the pace of change can be slowed down.
Area schools cover all year levels from new entrants to year 13, tend to be smaller and are based in rural areas, meaning they face pressures to implement curriculum changes across the board.
‘‘Schools like Rangiora High School don’t have to worry about year 1 to 3 literacy and numeracy, and primary schools don’t have to worry about changes to NCEA.
‘‘We are a bit of an afterthought. Area schools are like an airport and principals are like air traffic controllers, with planes coming from all directions.’’
While some rural school rolls are falling, Amuri Area School is managing a growing roll.
The roll has jumped from 335 to 380 students since the start of 2023, which includes its largest roll of year 7s (50) and year 13s (22).
Barlow said the school is working with the Ministry of Education to design a new building for science, technology and arts classes.
No budget or timeframe has been decided.
Amuri Area School is in Culverden, on the way to Hanmer Springs, and the relative isolation adds to the challenges.
The relief teacher pool is limited, meaning Barlow and his two deputy principals have had to step into the classroom several times this year.
Roger Hornblow became principal at Cheviot Area School in term four last year, having been a long serving primary school principal.
‘‘Area schools are very complex and I don’t think it is appreciated by everybody.
‘‘We are dealing with the NCEA changes and the year 0 to 8 changes. It is really complex.
‘‘But that is part and parcel of the beast and we need to make sure we do it in a way which give students the best outcomes.’’
It means professional development is constant, and Hornblow is pleased with how his staff are stepping up.
He would like to see ‘‘a unified education policy’’ which did not change every time there is a change of Government.
The New Zealand Education Institute Te Riu Roa and the New Zealand Principals' Federation also called on the Government last week to slow down the implementation of new structured math and English curriculum.
New NCEA literacy and numeracy online tests have also come under fire from secondary school principals around the country.
Education Minister Erica Stanford said extra support is being provided to area schools in North Canterbury, with curriculum advisors visiting schools, assisting with teacher only days and providing webinars.
The schools also have the support of the ministry's area school leadership advisor Stephen Beck, who is taking a year out from his role as principal at Hurunui College.
"Support will be ongoing as the local team looks to ensure our rural area schools have the assistance they require to implement and embed these changes."
But she said introducing structured literacy and numeracy will take time, especially for schools teaching it for the first time.
"Embedding a curriculum refresh, running professional development and responding to our sector feedback are things we will work on together over the coming years."
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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