Timaru Civic Trust

12/06/2026

It is an honour to share that the Aigantighe House Gallery Refurbishment has received an NZIA Canterbury Architecture Award in the Heritage category.

Receiving this recognition in our 70th year as an art gallery makes it especially meaningful. We thank Andrew Irving and Jeremy Smith of Irving Smith Architects, together with Ian Bowman, for their thoughtful approach and dedication to restoring this much-loved community building.

We are also grateful for the support of our community throughout this project. Together we are preserving Aigantighe House and its collection for future generations as the Home of Art in South Canterbury.

"The refurbishment of Timaru’s Aigantighe House Gallery is a careful and disciplined restoration of a much-loved heritage building... restoring both the function of the building and pride in the place."

12/06/2026

Once you start looking down in Stafford Street, Timaru’s history has a habit of appearing underfoot.

This week’s Timaru Civic Trust column looks at the small strip of bluestone cobbles beside the former Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works building. The building was completed in 1874, designed by Thomas Roberts and built by Thomas Machin, at a time when Timaru was still working out how to turn rough roads, mud, carts and stormwater into organised streets.

It is a modest bit of heritage, but a good one. Kerbs, drains, cobbles and footpaths are part of the story of how a town learns to look after itself.

Thank you to the Timaru Herald who has published out weekly column since 2016. You can read our past blogs on our website.

Read the full column in today’s Timaru Herald, and next time you are passing the old Board of Works building, have a look down.

Brought to you by the Timaru Civic Trust, celebrating our built heritage and the people who keep it alive...

Once you start looking down in Timaru, it is surprising how much history can appear underfoot.

10/06/2026

Brilliant article - thank you, The Courier, Timaru. Congratulations once again to all involved:

The refurbishment of a heritage building in Timaru has been selected as one the ‘‘very best’’ in the region at this year’s Canterbury Architecture Awards. The Aigantighe Art Gallery, refurbished by Irving Smith Architects in association Ian Bowman, was one of 28 architectural projects acro...

08/06/2026

Stunning images of our heritage building CBD

06/06/2026

Have you read our column in the Timaru Herald today?

https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/361016346/timaru-civic-trust-bluestone-office-where-town-learnt-get-things-done

05/06/2026

Wonderful news for Timaru.

The Aigantighe House Gallery Refurbishment project has received a 2026 Canterbury Architecture Award in the Heritage category.

Many of us remember the day the historic house closed following seismic concerns. Last night felt like the other end of that story.

This award recognises the outstanding work of Irving Smith Architects and Ian Bowman in association, and celebrates the careful restoration and strengthening of one of South Canterbury's most treasured heritage buildings.

For the Timaru Civic Trust, this recognition is especially meaningful. We were proud to support the refurbishment project through advocacy and funding because we believed this remarkable building, gifted to the people of South Canterbury, was worth preserving for future generations.

What makes this achievement particularly special is that much of the work is almost invisible. Visitors can once again enjoy the beauty, character and atmosphere of the house without necessarily seeing the sophisticated strengthening and building improvements hidden behind the scenes. That quiet success is exactly what good heritage conservation should achieve.

As the Aigantighe shared in its own announcement, this recognition celebrates the careful restoration of one of South Canterbury's most loved heritage buildings and acknowledges the commitment to preserving its character while ensuring it remains accessible and relevant for future generations.

The judges described the project as a "careful and disciplined restoration of a much-loved heritage building", noting that structural strengthening and new services were added "with a light touch", allowing the building's history, craftsmanship and character to remain at the forefront.

The Timaru Civic Trust was proud to support the refurbishment project from an early stage through advocacy and funding. We believed this remarkable building, gifted to the people of South Canterbury, was worth preserving for future generations.

Timaru Civic Trust Chair Joshua Newlove said:

"As Chair of the Timaru Civic Trust, I couldn't be happier to see the Aigantighe recognised through these awards. The Trust supported the refurbishment of the House Gallery from an early stage, and we are delighted that this important heritage building will continue to be enjoyed by future generations. This recognition reflects the dedication, collaboration and commitment of everyone involved in bringing the project to life."

Timaru Civic Trust board member Roselyn Fauth, who attended the awards ceremony on behalf of the Trust, said:

"For me, the Aigantighe is more than a heritage building. It is a gift, a legacy, and a public home for art. This award recognises the exceptional skill and care of the architects and project team, but it also celebrates the generations of people who have loved, supported and advocated for this special place."

It is especially meaningful to add a second architecture award to the Aigantighe's story. In 1978, the gallery's modern wing, designed by the late Ronald Dohig, received a New Zealand Institute of Architects Bronze Award. This latest recognition honours the careful refurbishment of the historic house itself. Together, these awards reflect the way the Aigantighe has continued to evolve, adapt and be cared for across generations.

We give special thanks to the Friends of the Aigantighe, whose long-standing support, advocacy and fundraising have helped sustain the gallery's place in the hearts of the community.

We also warmly congratulate Timaru District Council and the Aigantighe team. This project has taken patience, care and commitment over many years, and it is wonderful to see that work recognised.

Most importantly, this recognition belongs to the community.

The Aigantighe was gifted to the people of South Canterbury nearly 70 years ago. Thanks to the efforts of many hands and hearts, that gift will continue to inspire, connect and welcome generations to come.

If the Aigantighe has been part of your story, we'd love to hear your favourite memory in the comments.

With thanks and congratulations to:

04/06/2026

We have our fingers crossed! All the very best to everyone involved with the Aigantighe House Gallery Refurbishment, as the Canterbury Architecture Awards are held in Christchurch this evening.

The Aigantighe is a finalist in the Heritage category, and regardless of the outcome, we are delighted to see this much-loved Timaru landmark recognised alongside projects from across Canterbury.

As a Trust, we have long believed that heritage places matter. They connect us to our shared stories, help create a sense of belonging, and contribute to the character of our communities. We were proud to support this project through advocacy and funding, helping ensure this special building continues to serve future generations.

Recognition like this reflects the efforts of many people over many years. We acknowledge the architects, contractors, consultants, Timaru District Council, gallery staff, Friends of the Aigantighe, volunteers, donors, supporters and community advocates who have all played a part in caring for this remarkable place.

Our board Chair Josh Newlove said "We would also like to acknowledge former Civic Trust Chair Nigel Gilkison, whose leadership, urban design expertise and commitment to heritage helped shape the Trust's involvement in the project. Nigel was also a valued member of the Friends of the Aigantighe and understood the importance of the gallery from both a built heritage and community arts perspective."

One of our board members, Roselyn Fauth, is attending tonight's awards on behalf of the Trust, she has also supported the gallery as a volunteer for over 20 years. Like her, we look forward to sharing the results when they become public.

Roselyn Fauth has often said, that art and a building may make a gallery, but it is people who make it a home for South Canterbury's art. "This refurbishment project is a wonderful example of a community coming together to advocate and support our local built heritage and the arts."

"The Aigantighe was a gift to the people of South Canterbury, and with every gift comes a responsibility. This project was about respecting that gift, caring for it properly, and ensuring it can continue to serve its purpose as a public home for art, creativity and community. The Aigantighe Art Gallery restoration and strengthening project honours the past, serves the present and invests in the future. It respects the Aigantighe's architectural heritage while ensuring this gifted building can continue to be a public home for art and community for the next 100 years and beyond."

"The Aigantighe reminds us that communities are not defined by what they own. They are defined by what they choose to care for. This award recognises not only a beautifully restored heritage building, but generations of people who believed this place was worth preserving, supporting and passing on to future generations. Thank you to everyone involved in making the Aigantighe the success that it is."

"We also would like to make a special mention to the Friends of Aigantighe Art Gallery who also worked hard to support and advocate for the project, we matched each other in our financial contributions as well as asking our community what they wanted, and advocating on their behalf."

Good luck to everyone involved. Tonight is already a celebration of what can be achieved when a community chooses to care for something bigger than itself, we are so proud to be a small part of this significant project.

Do you have a favourite Aigantighe memory? We'd love to hear it below.

29/05/2026

Heritage is not always above eye level... sometimes, it is right beneath our feet. This week’s Timaru Civic Trust column in The Timaru Herald looks at a small but fascinating part of Timaru’s built heritage: bluestone in our footpaths and streetscape.

Bluestone rubble strips and cobble details can be easy to miss, especially when we are walking quickly through town. But these details help tell the story of how our streets were formed, what materials were used, and how much workmanship is quietly woven into the fabric of our CBD.

A simple strip of stone may not seem important at first glance. But when we look closer, it can open up a wider story about place, memory, change, and the heritage features that can slowly disappear if we stop noticing them.

Thank you to Kirsten Wilson for sharing her knowledge and for helping inspire this week’s column written by Roselyn Fauth.

We would also love to hear from the community.

Have you noticed bluestone details around Timaru? Do you know of any interesting old cobbles, stone edging, walls, kerbs, drains, or footpath features that deserve a closer look?

There is also a curious section of bluestone wall on Buchanan Street, near the Hassall Street corner, by the former principal’s cottage driveway at Timaru Girls’ High School. It looks old, and we are keen to learn more about where it may have come from. Was it connected to an earlier house or boundary before the school site expanded?

Built heritage is often found in the grand buildings we all recognise, but it is also in the smaller details that shape the character of our streets.

Have a read, and next time you are walking through town, remember to look down.

https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/361011727/timaru-civic-trust-bluestone-beneath-our-feet

Timaru’s bluestone is basalt, formed from lava flows from the Waipōuri/Mt Horrible volcanic area about 2 to 2.5 million years ago.

22/05/2026

Read today's Civic Trust Column in the Timaru Herald about the Botanic Gardens Band Rotunda... Timaru’s Botanic Gar­dens Rotunda. It was built to com­mem­or­ate the 1911 coron­a­tion of King George V and Queen Mary, at a time when brass and mil­it­ary bands were cent­ral to civic occa­sions and pub­lic recre­ation, and rotun­das gave musi­cians a place to per­form and com­munit­ies a place to gather...

Timaru’s Botanic Gar­dens rotunda com­mem­or­ates the 1911 coron­a­tion of King George V and Queen Mary. This was at a time when brass and mil­it­ary bands were cent­ral to civic occa­sions and pub­lic recre­ation, and rotun­das gave musi­cians a...

22/05/2026

Good morning, good day, and good evening to you all, from Timaru 🌏⏰☕️☕️

Sometimes when the sun rises, I like to look the other way...

Turning away from the dawn to capture the first light hitting the town is a quiet, peaceful start to the day. Have a great one! 🏙️💫

Photo from 05/03/2026