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Howick Historical Village is a living museum in Auckland, New Zealand. It is a recreation of a New Zealand colonial village using surviving buildings from the surrounding area. Despite its name, the Village is actually located in the suburb of Pakuranga.
 Puhi Nui Homestead in Howick Historical Village | |
 | |
| Established | March 8, 1980 |
|---|---|
| Location | Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 36°54′27″S 174°54′10″E / 36.9074°S 174.9027°E |
| Website | www |
Village history
editThe village originally used the name Howick Colonial Village. It was built by the Howick Historical Society on land gifted by the Manukau City Council.[1]
The development and operation of the village was funded from admission fees, income generated from events and bookings, donations, plus some funding from The Howick Local Board.[2]
The Village contains fencible cottages, a mission house, a court house, and an old shop.[1]
Since 2016, the village has been used as a set to film for the YouTube group Viva La Dirt League.[3]
On 26 May 2020, the village reported that it had suffered serious financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, had cut staff, and was actively seeking financial support from Auckland Council and other agencies.[4]
Governance
editThe village is owned and operated by the Howick & Districts Historical Society Incorporated, which is a registered charity.[5]
As an incorporated society, any individual can become a member on payment of an annual subscription. Members elect a board each year at the annual general meeting. The board consists of a president, secretary, treasurer and up to seven members.[5]
Visiting
editThe village is open to the public every day of the year (except Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Good Friday) from 10am-4pm (last entry at 3pm). Live Days are held periodically, when costumed volunteers re-enact daily life in Victorian New Zealand times.
School groups continue to visit the Museum regularly as part of their LEOTC (Learning Experience Outside The Classroom) studies. Weddings and other private celebrations are regularly held at the village using the church for ceremonies and the historic Bell House. The village is also offered as a film shoot location.
Restoration projects
editOver the years, a number of restoration projects have taken place throughout the village. These buildings are timber framed and require significant ongoing work to protect and preserve them.
In 2016, a project was commenced to restore Sergeant Ford's Fencible cottage. This project was started with the support of the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board. During the project, further deterioration of the foundation was found, extending the cost of the project by $30,000 and causing significant financial difficulties for the village. The village needed to source additional support in order to prevent stress on the Society's financial reserves, and the project was ultimately rescued with support from the Stevenson Village Trust.[6]
In 2019, the large Pakuranga school house was restored with funding provided by lotteries commission. Significant work by a team of contractors and volunteers completed this vital weather proofing work which included repairs to the windows and weatherboards.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b Hall, Andrew (February 1980). Historic Buildings in Manukau City. Manukau City Council.
- ^ An Introduction to the Howick Historical Village. Howick and Districts Historical Society. 1997.
- ^ "Kiwi YouTubers Viva La Dirt League are treating life like it's a game".
- ^ Krause, Nick (25 May 2020). "Covid-19 fallout:Historical Village feels the pinch".
- ^ a b "Charities Services". www.charities.govt.nz. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ^ "Trust comes to the aid of Historical Village". Times Online. 26 April 2018.
- ^ "Restoration Projects". Howick Historical Village. Retrieved 16 August 2020.