This week a group opposing the Wellington City Council's decision to demolish the capital's city to sea bridge, the Wellington Civic Trust, lost a Judicial Review. The group say they don't have the money to appeal but are pledging to fight on. They are not ruling out civil disobedience.
The Wellington City Council decision has been made in the face of the high cost of seismic restrengthening, and this week council spokesman Richard MacLean said demolition work was at least three weeks off.
The bridge is beloved - widely considered an iconic public art work. It has been central to the city's identity and its connection to the waterfront since 1990. A collaborative work, by architects Rewi Thompson and John Gray with sculptor Para Matchitt, it was developed to complement the Central Library and Te Ngākau Civic Square developed by Athfield Architects. The square has its own rich collection of public art which is currently mothballed.
The square alongside the library and town hall are currently under redevelopment, and other civic buildings have been recently demolished. Alongside City Gallery Wellington the square and library are due to reopen in 2026 and the town hall in early 2027.
This coming Saturday September 13 is a significant milestone for the redevelopment of this civic precinct.
Taranaki Whanui, mana whenua, will lead a re-dedication of the library as Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui - this follows the completion of construction last month.
It has been revealed to Culture 101 this weekend that project includes commissions from artists Darcy Nicholas, Ngāhina Hohaia, Wiremu Barriball and a significant new exterior public work led by Rangi Kipa.
Culture 101 was joined by co-director of Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand and a trustee and former chair of the Wellington Sculpture Trust, Sue Elliot. Public Art Heritage maintain an online register of New Zealand's 20th Century Public Art, many of which she says have been "destroyed, covered over, or simply lost."
