Auckland Heritage

07/09/2026

🖱️Don't forget to click submit on your Regional Historic Heritage Grant application!

The grant round closes on Monday 14 September.

More information here https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/grants-community-support-housing/grants/grants-calendar/regional-historic-heritage-grant.html

Or email [email protected]

Image from St Michael's Catholic Church.

04/09/2026

It’s World Beard Day tomorrow! 🧔‍♂️

Many great New Zealand architects – designers of some of Auckland's most loved heritage buildings - have sported distinctive beards.

Beards range from the Reverend Frederick Thatcher, architect of our most iconic 1850s Selwyn Churches, to the hearty muttonchops of late-Victorian/Edwardian superstar Edward Bartley, the tidy goatee of prolific railway station designer George Troup, and the bohemian 1950s beard of the great Group-affiliated modernist Bruce Rotherham. We hope our bearded followers enjoy the weekend 🌞

📸Photo credits:
1. Stanley Polkinghorne Andrew, 1927, 'George Alexander Troup,' Alexander Turnbull Libraries 1/1-018930-F
2. Unknown photographer, c1880, Frederick Thatcher,' Alexander Turnbull Libraries 1/2-110423-F
3. Herman John Schmidt, c1900s, 'Mr E Bartley,' Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 31-52790
4. Reginald Clifton Firth, 1952, 'Bruce Rotherham,' Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 34-R0358B

02/09/2026

We love historical aerial photography - it's fascinating to see how Auckland has changed over time 🛩️📸

Check out the article in the post we've shared to learn how you can explore images of the places in Tāmaki Makaurau that are special to you.

02/09/2026

Closing soon!

The Regional Historic Heritage Grant closes on 14 September.

Individuals, iwi or Māori groups, community groups and trusts can apply for up to $50,000 for projects which preserve heritage places.

This year's funding priorities include:
- Conservation of regionally significant historic heritage places, including places in an historic heritage area.
- Conservation of at-risk historic heritage places, including initiatives which address the impacts of climate change.
- Supporting kaitiakitanga of Māori cultural heritage places.

To find out more and apply, check out https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/grants-community-support-housing/grants/grants-calendar/regional-historic-heritage-grant.html
or email [email protected]

01/09/2026

Closing soon!

The Regional Historic Heritage Grant closes on 14 September.

Individuals, iwi or Māori groups, community groups and trusts can apply for up to $50,000 for projects which preserve heritage places.

This year's funding priorities include:
- Conservation of regionally significant historic heritage places, including places in an historic heritage area.
- Conservation of at-risk historic heritage places, including initiatives which address the impacts of climate change.
- Supporting kaitiakitanga of Māori cultural heritage places.

To find out more and apply, check out https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/grants-community-support-housing/grants/grants-calendar/regional-historic-heritage-grant.html
or email [email protected]

SmartyTip: Don’t miss any of your deadlines! This is one of the busiest times of the year for applications that are due by June 30 (end of financial year for many funders). Plan ahead now to avoid any rush and submit your application well before its due date.

01/09/2026

Auckland Libraries is offering a free whakapapa research open day, Tātai Hono, on Friday the 18th of September 🌿

01/09/2026

Happy World Letter Writing Day Tāmaki Makaurau✉️✒️

For many decades before the advent of phones, letters were the primary method of communication for Aucklanders wanting to send longer messages than could travel by telegraph. The postal system connected Aucklanders with their loved ones all around Aotearoa and the world.

We thought this would be the perfect opportunity to profile one of our heritage post offices around Tāmaki Makaurau.

The Ponsonby (former) Post Office was built in 1912-1913, and designed by the government architect John Campbell, Claude Paton, and built by Scottish-born builder Lee McKinstry. The Post Office is an example of free Edwardian Neo-Baroque architecture, and includes a prominent clock tower and colourful crest. Letters would have transited through here for ninety years – until the building closed as a Post Office in 2002, where it was transformed into commercial spaces.

Next time you stroll past, imagine swapping your phone for a pen and paper, and sending a little piece of history in the post!



📸 Photo credits:
1: Unknown, 1986. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1052-J06-25
2: Henry Winkelmann, 1924. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1-W0392
3: F.G. Radcliffe, c.1915. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 35-R0241
4: Brian Cairns, 2011. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1477-2737

31/08/2026

Another awesome event for the Auckland Heritage Festival 2026 out West - Te Radar with a celebration of beloved and bizarre cookbooks from New Zealand’s past in Titirangi🍳🍅🫛

Expect some strange and sumptuous vintage food photography!

Te Radar's show is a hilarious and heartwarming celebration of the beloved and bizarre cookbooks from New Zealand’s past, with a side of sumptuous vintage food photography.