Nor'West News: September 24, 2020

NOR’WEST NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Thursday September 24 2020 5
Historic building repairs nearing completion
• By Bea Gooding
A SIGNIFICANT piece of
history in Belfast has been
brought back to life after nearly
a decade.
The majority of earthquake
repairs at the Kapuatohe Dwelling
and Cottage on Main North
Rd are now complete, and the
community
will soon have
the opportunity
to see it for
themselves.
The buildings
had
to undergo
David
Cartwright
strengthening,
insulation
and wirings
works while
maintaining as much heritage as
possible during the last year due
to damage from the Canterbury
2010 and 2011 earthquakes.
Originally costing nearly
$400,000, the city council spent
$516,549 on the renovations
combined.
Said Fendalton-Waimairi-
Harewood Community Board
chairman David Cartwright:
“Christchurch has lots of heritage,
and nearly 10 years ago we
lost a great number of buildings
across the city.
“So it’s fantastic to see these
HERITAGE: The restoration of Kapuatohe Dwelling and Cottage in Belfast is nearing
completion and will open later this year.
PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN ​
buildings have been restored for
the generations ahead. It sets the
buildings on a good path for the
next 50 years.
“It’s part of the fabric of what
makes Christchurch.”
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The Kapuatohe Dwelling
served as a school house and was
originally built in 1877, a year
before Belfast School opened
behind it, and was occupied by
staff members until 1971.
The dwelling was historically
significant because of its association
with the development
of public schooling in New
Zealand, which established free
and compulsory schooling for all
children across the country.
The nearby crofter’s cottage
was built in 1912 and the land
it was on was purchased by the
Waimairi District Council at the
time, along with the dwelling,
and was significant of its part in
the early development of Belfast.
The two sections later became
Kapuatohe Historic Reserve in
1979 for community purposes.
Once the repair works are
completed, both buildings will
be used as residential dwellings.
Cartwright said the space was
an important asset within the
Belfast community due to its
rich history which reinforced the
need to restore the buildings to
their former glory.
“I think it’s important to
celebrate your past, regardless if
it’s a marae, a stone building, an
old cottage or a monument,” he
said.
“These buildings are on Main
North Rd and people will drive
past it every day but won’t understand
what they are, so now
they’ll have an opportunity to
take notice of it once it opens.”
The community board was
now looking to hold an open
day later this year after the
celebration at the end of last
month was cancelled due to
Covid-19.
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