Wrecking ball looms for much of Wellington's Karori Campus

Tuesday, 10 April 2018

The Karori Campus, formerly owned by Victoria University, and now by Ryman Healthcare, is regarded as a beacon of Brutalist architecture.

The new owner of Karori Campus intends to demolish many of the buildings on the site, and Wellington City Council has confirmed it effectively has no power to stop it.

Ryman Healthcare has filed for a certificate of compliance from the council, which is expected to be approved.

A site map outlines the buildings in red, which Ryman Healthcare intends to demolish.

It would mean that, even if the campus were to be given heritage protection in the council's District Plan, it would be exempt for five years.

It is understood there was a heated meeting between Ryman, top council staff and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga last week, at which the rest home provider made it clear it could, and would, demolish the buildings regardless of any opposition.

**READ MORE:

* Karori campus faces further hurdle

The wrecking ball is looming for the majority of Wellington's former teachers' college, after Ryman Healthcare applied for a certificate of compliance from Wellington City Council.

* Campus development could be hit by Heritage NZ plans

* Ryman confirms it has bought Karori Campus**

Council chief city planner David Chick confirmed demolition was permitted at the site. 'There is nothing stopping them. Based on their permitted rights, they could actually start demolition tomorrow without hesitation.'

Documents filed with the council show it wants to demolish the store and service workshops next to the tennis courts and field, Mackie Gym, the theatre block, Panckhurst building, Malcolm building, Oldershaw building, Ako Pa Marae and some prefab buildings.

Heritage NZ says the campus, sold to Ryman by Victoria University, is regarded as having 'outstanding architectural significance' as 'one of New Zealand's finest examples of Brutalism'.

It has confirmed it was proposing to give the campus a category 1 historic place entry, and had extended the submission process, at Ryman's request, from 20 to 40 working days.

If the city council had followed suit, and listed the campus in its District Plan as a heritage site, that would have given it some protection.

However, Ryman filed for the certificate of compliance last week, and is likely to be granted it within 20 working days.

Richard Bentley, of Karori Campus Group, which advocated for the site to remain in public hands, said Ryman had 'grabbed the opportunity by the horns … getting the paperwork to demolish the place before the council has to deal with a listed building situation'.

Architectural Centre co-president Christine McCarthy said the buildings were a fine example of Brutalism, and demolition would be a tragedy.

Ryman Healthcare chief development officer Andrew Mitchell stressed no plans were finalised, and Ryman was still in the consultation phase.

Open days would be held in the coming weeks. 'We'd love to see anyone in the Karori community – and the wider community – who is interested in our plans for the future of the site.'

Chick said Ryman's application for a certificate of compliance was a straightforward case, and was unlikely to be delayed.

The certificate was a legal piece of paper to have in the 'back pocket' as a guarantee, in case there were any District Plan changes in the next five years, he said.

'We are still keen to continue discussions. Just because they have the certificate, it doesn't mean they have to use it.'

The council was waiting to hear from Heritage NZ and Ryman about the next steps in agreeing a masterplan as to which parts of the site should be listed.

Councillor Andy Foster, who holds the Karori framework and urban development portfolios, hoped the certificate was not used.

'We want to talk to Ryman, we want Ryman to talk to the community, and we want to work through the heritage issues with Ryman and stakeholders.'