Historic cottage reprieved
A 19th century cottage has been saved from demolition as work on Auckland’s largest transport project continues.
The kauri weatherboard cottage was on Flower St next to Mt Eden train station where buildings were being demolished to make way for the City Rail Link.
Link Alliance, a group managing the Mt Eden demolition, said the cottage was moved to Waikato, which was was a ‘‘great outcome’’.
‘‘Buildings like this are becoming less common, and Link Alliance and City Rail Link are committed to protecting New Zealand’s cultural and historic heritage for future generations,’’ environment sustainability manager Sarah Sutherland said. ‘‘The Link Alliance and CRL are really pleased the cottage will get a new lease of life in its new location, and people will have the opportunity to enjoy it for many years to come.’’
The exact construction date of the cottage was unknown but it was considered one of Auckland’s oldest pioneer homes. Some records indicated the cottage might have been built 143 years ago, in 1876.
Its first family moved in at a time when Queen Victoria was New Zealand’s head of state and the first telegraphic communications cable under the Tasman Sea to Australia was opening.
The cottage was transported by road during the night and relocated 75 kilometres away in the historic Waikato community of Rangiriri.
Ward Demolition director Peter Ward managed the relocation and said the shift was completed smoothly.
‘‘After all these years the cottage still has good ‘bones’ and all our dots around planning and the shift on the night came together perfectly to move it safely,’’ he said.
‘‘Everyone’s come away with a good feeling that they’ve helped give the house a second life.’’
Rangiriri Hotel was built around the same time as the cottage and the hotel’s owners plan to restore the cottage and other similar homes as part of a redevelopment of their property.
The cleared site next to Mt Eden station will be used to launch a tunnel boring machine that will start excavating the twin rail tunnels between Mt Eden and central Auckland in early 2021.
The $4.4 billion City Rail Project will establish twin tunnels under the city connecting the Mt Eden train line to the Western line and two new stations at Mt Eden and Karangahape Rd.