PM takes whisky to court

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reopened Dunedin’s historic courthouse yesterday with a bottle of alcohol.

The pregnant leader added items to a time capsule to commemorate the saving of the 1902 courthouse, including a small bottle of Dunedin single malt whisky.

‘‘I don’t have much use for it at the moment,’’ she said.

The whisky was a present from her partner, Clarke Gayford, who had not yet learnt of the donation to the capsule, which will be opened in 50 years.

Ardern officially unveiled a plaque, her first such act since becoming prime minister in late October, commemorating the courthouse’s re-opening after an upgrade fund of $20 million was approved in Budget 2016.

Ardern, who is also the minister for arts, culture and heritage, acknowledged the local community’s work to retain the facility and said it was ‘‘this Government’s view that we need to do more to preserve our heritage buildings in New Zealand … we have lost many over the years’’.

That included supporting private owners of historic buildings that needed strengthening work.

The courthouse work included upgrading technology and strengthening the building to 60 to 70 per cent of the new building standard.

The court moved to a temporary court seven years ago.

The upgraded courthouse is expected to be open for counter services on February 5.