Onehunga Primary School (Former), ONEHUNGA (List No. 7109, Category 1) - Heritage New Zealand
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New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero – Review Report for a Historic Place
Onehunga Primary School (Former), ONEHUNGA (List No. 7109,
Category 1)
Onehunga Primary School (former) looking north.
(Alexandra Foster, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga)
Alexandra Foster
DRAFT: Last amended 14 March 2019
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PURPOSE OF REVIEW 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3
1. IDENTIFICATION 5
1.1. Name of Place 5
1.2. Location Information 5
1.3. Legal Description 5
1.4. Extent of List Entry 6
1.5. Eligibility 6
1.6. Existing Heritage Recognition 6
2. SUPPORTING INFORMATION 7
2.1. Historical Information 7
2.2. Physical Information 17
2.3. Chattels 22
2.4. Sources 23
3. SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENT 23
3.1. Section 66 (1) Assessment 23
3.2. Section 66 (3) Assessment 25
4. APPENDICES 28
4.1. Appendix 1: Visual Identification Aids 28
4.2. Appendix 2: Visual Aids to Historical Information 34
4.3. Appendix 3: Visual Aids to Physical Information 36
4.4. Appendix 4: Significance Assessment Information 43
Disclaimer
Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero identifies only the heritage values of
the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment
of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary
conditions.
Archaeological sites are protected by the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014, regardless of
whether they are entered on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero or not. Archaeological sites include
‘places associated with pre-1900 human activity, where there may be evidence relating to the history of New
Zealand’. This List entry report should not be read as a statement on whether or not the archaeological
provisions of the Act apply to the property (s) concerned. Please contact your local Heritage New Zealand office
for archaeological advice.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 2
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of the review is to consider a change in the list entry category. The review is being undertaken to assess the additional information about the place and its context that has become available since initial listing in 1993. Also to assess the significance of the place under the wider range of criteria that is now utilised for assessment and is likely to be relevant in ascertaining the appropriate category. The recommended outcome of the review is that the category of the entry for Onehunga Primary School (former) be changed from a Category 2 to a Category 1 historic place as the place has special significance for its aesthetic, architectural, historical and social values. The review also recommends that the extent be reduced to primarily include the covenanted land as well as the 1945 swimming pool. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Onehunga Primary School (former), a visual landmark in the historic settlement of Onehunga, has special significance as a place closely associated with education during the twentieth century, particularly in the widening of educational provision under the first Liberal Government and changes in swimming education from the mid–twentieth century. Built in 1901, the size and scale of the building reflected the importance of the settlement with the growth of the community over the century reflected in the changes to the physical fabric and layout of the building. The swimming pool demonstrates the commitment towards swimming education and water safety in the mid–twentieth century. The place also has importance for its strong community links since construction, first as a primary and a high school, and recently as a community facility that has been restored through the fundraising efforts of the local community. A generally well-preserved place the building has potential for public education through being a public venue as well as housing a museum collection related to the school and district. The place forms part of a notable historic and cultural landscape along with other buildings at Onehunga associated with the early decades of the township and its development as the second largest settlement on the Tāmaki isthmus. The first public school opened at Onehunga in 1873 and moved to Selwyn Street in 1876. As the population of Onehunga grew and access to primary and secondary education was Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 3
widened under the first Liberal Government, the school site was enlarged and in 1899 an infant block was added, followed by the main building two years later. Designed by John Mitchell and Robert Watt, the main building is one of their largest surviving school buildings from their time as architects for the Auckland Education Board. The building is comprised of three main wings with gable ends on the main elevation and two additional rooms at the rear. The design was broadly symmetrical with five large classrooms, two small classrooms and two teachers’ rooms, as well as two rooms in the basement. The design used Queen Anne-influenced architecture associated with progressive ideas and secular education and the highly decorated main façade and belfry is a visual landmark in Onehunga. The building was considered to be up-to-date with innovative heating, lighting and ventilation as well as dedicated science facilities. The building was built by G.M. Handcock in 1901 and opened in November that year. For the next 80 years the main building was in constant use as part of the school. It was used as a district high school from 1903 to 1912 before reverting to being part of the primary school. Due to the increasing population in Onehunga the school was frequently overcrowded and changes to the structure reflect the measures taken to address the need for classroom space; all the large rooms were portioned from 1919 and some rooms being extended with fibrolite additions in 1968. The belfry had been removed from the building in 1947. A learners’ pool was constructed east of the building in 1945 for swimming and water safety education. The community had been closely involved in running the school as part of the Onehunga School Committee since 1873. The formation of the PTA in 1941 increased the community’s contribution to the school. When the building was threatened with demolition in 1980 the community rallied to save the place which became a public venue named the Onehunga Community House. From the early twenty–first century the committee running the community house fundraised nearly one million dollars for its restoration which they completed in 2018. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 4
1. IDENTIFICATION1
1.1. Name of Place
Name:
Onehunga Primary School (Former)
Other Names:
Onehunga School
Onehunga District High School
Onehunga Primary School
Onehunga Community House
Onehunga Primary School Senior Block
Onehunga Primary School Main Block
Onehunga Primary School Main Building
Onehunga School Swimming Pool
1.2. Location Information
Address
83-89 Selwyn Street
Onehunga
AUCKLAND
Additional Location Information
1758851.5 mE
5912546.3 mN
(NZTM Coordinates, QuickMap from approximate centre of building)
Local Authority
Auckland Council
1.3. Legal Description
Lot 1 DP 189657 (RT NA119C/8) and Pt Allot 6 Sec 19 Village of Onehunga (RT 223325, NZ
Gazette 1971, p.111), North Auckland Land District
1
This section is supplemented by visual aids in Appendix 1 of the report.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 5
1.4. Extent of List Entry
Extent includes the land described as Lot 1 DP 189657 (RT NA119C/8) and part of the land
known as Pt Allot 6 Sec 19 Village of Onehunga (RT 223325, NZ Gazette 1971, p.111), North
Auckland Land District, and the buildings and structures known as Onehunga Primary School
(Former) thereon, and their fittings and fixtures, and the following chattel: Sick Bay bed. It
excludes the structure known as changing rooms and filter room. (Refer to map in Appendix
1 of the List entry report for further information).
1.5. Eligibility
There is sufficient information included in this report to identify this place. This place is
physically eligible for consideration as a historic place. It consists of a combination of land,
buildings and structures that are fixed to land which lies within the territorial limits of New
Zealand.
1.6. Existing Heritage Recognition
Local Authority and Regional Authority Plan Scheduling
Auckland Unitary Plan, Operative in Part (Updated 22 February 2019), Schedule 14 Historic
Heritage, 1841, Onehunga Primary School (former), Category A.
Heritage Covenant
Part of this place is covered by a Heritage Covenant: Onehunga Primary School (Former)
Covenant 8879137.1, 8 July 2011; CFR NA119C/8. It includes all of the land described as Lot 1
DP 189657 containing 2863m2 in CFR 119C/8 (North Auckland registry) and the building
known as the Onehunga Primary School (Former) situated at 83 Selwyn Street, Onehunga.
Other Heritage Recognition
Auckland Council Cultural Heritage Inventory ID– 2868 Historic Structure – Onehunga Primary
School Buildings (former)/ Former Onehunga Primary School.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 6
2. SUPPORTING INFORMATION
2.1. Historical Information
Early History of the Site
Onehunga Primary School (Former) is located in the Auckland suburb of Onehunga on the
lower slopes of Maungakiekie on the north side of Manukau Harbour. Forming part of a
volcanic landscape associated with Mataaho, the god of earthquakes and volcanoes,
Onehunga was an important place of Māori settlement over many centuries.2 In one local
tradition the lagoon Te Hōpua was said to have been created by Mahuika, the goddess of fire,
to warm Mataaho.3 The Tainui waka passed Onehunga and named one of the springs Te Puna
a Taihaua.4 In the eighteenth century Waiohua had extensive kūmara gardens in the area and
coastal kainga were established by Ngāti Whatua from later in the century, including the
settlement of Āpihai Te Kawau (R11/99).5 A concentration of shell midden (R11/513) located
on the property adjacent to Onehunga Primary School (former) is surviving evidence of
Māori occupation in close proximity to the school.6 Onehunga was an important link
between Tāmaki, Manukau and Waikato for Māori and formed part of a significant Māori
trade network.7
After early contact between Māori and Church Missionary Society missionaries in 1820, a
small number of European settlers established themselves in the area from 1840.8 In 1847
Governor Grey founded Onehunga as the first of four fencible settlements in south Auckland
comprised of veteran former soldiers charged with defending the capital in Auckland in
exchange for land grants.9 Linking the isthmus to Waikato, Onehunga continued to be an
important trading centre from the earliest years of European settlement in Tāmaki where
2
Bruce W. Hayward, Graeme Murdoch & Gordon Maitland, Volcanoes of Auckland: The Essential Guide, 2011, p. 43.
3
Another tradition associated with Te Hopua is that it was created by a Waitakere tohunga to stop a war party from Hūnua.
Dr Malcolm Paterson, ‘Maori Heritage in Onehunga’ in HNZPT, ‘City @ Risk -Onehunga’, 2010.
4
The numerous springs originating from the southern edge of the Maungakiekie lava flow around Onehunga were
collectively known as Waihihi and were known for “their profusion and strong flow” Hayward, Murdoch & Maitland, p. 52.
5
Janice C. Mogford, The Onehunga Heritage, Onehunga Borough Council, 1989, p. 13; Patterson, ‘City @ Risk – Onehunga’;
New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA), R11/99, URL: http://www.archsite.org.nz/.
6
NZAA, R11/513.
7
Patterson, ‘City @ Risk – Onehunga’
8
Ani Piīhema, Ruby Kerei and Steven Oliver. 'Te Kawau, Apihai', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1990.
Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1t42/te-kawau-apihai (accessed 6
December 2018); Martin Jones, ‘Historical Overview’, in HNZPT, ‘City @ Risk – Onehunga’, 2010.
9
Mogford, p. 16; Onehunga Primary School Committee, Onehunga Primary School Centennial 1873-1973, 1973, p. 6;
Salmond Reed Architects, ‘Former Onehunga Primary School – Selwyn Street, Onehunga: Heritage Assessment’, DRAFT,
2002, p. 5.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 7
Māori traders would bring in canoe loads of produce to Onehunga to sell to settlers in
Auckland, and was developed as an important west coast port. The population of Onehunga
grew quickly over the next decades and the settlement became the second largest on the
isthmus after Auckland City.
Education in Onehunga
Education was prioritised in the growing Onehunga community with the first school being
established by the Anglican Church in 1847, followed quickly by the Catholic Church by
1848.10 Education remained under church control, excepting a few small private schools, until
the Auckland Provincial Council passed the Education Act 1872.11 This legislation funded
public schooling in the province through an education rate levied on households.12 The
Auckland Education Board opened a number of schools in the next years including Onehunga
District School in 1873.13 Due to the high population of Onehunga the new school was well-
funded and initially operated from the stone Anglican Church schoolhouse.14 Education was
subsequently standardised across the country in the 1877 Education Act which guaranteed
access to free secular state primary education.15
The Board built a schoolhouse on Selwyn Street and Onehunga District School moved to the
new site in 1876.16 The expanding population of the settlement ensured the school was well
attended and, with the increased focus on wider access to education following the election
of the first Liberal Government in 1891, the Board acquired additional land adjoining the new
school from local residents in 1898.17 This included Allotment 6 Section 19, which was
purchased from Bradley and had been originally granted in 1854 to H.C. Lawlor, a resident
magistrate.18 A small infant block was erected in the widened grounds the following year and,
10
David Bade, ‘General history of Education in Onehunga’, in Auckland Council Heritage Unit, ‘Historic Heritage Assessment:
Onehunga Primary School (former)’, September 2013, p. 43; Mogford, p. 112.
11
Salmond Reed Architects, p. 5; Bade, p. 43.
12
Onehunga Primary School Committee, p. 7.
13
Mogford, p. 113.
14
Onehunga Primary School Committee, p. 7; Bade, p. 44
15
Michael King, The Penguin History of New Zealand, 2012, p. 233-4; Malcolm McKinnon, 'Colonial and provincial
government - After abolition', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/colonial-and-
provincial-government/page-5 (accessed 22 January 2019); Bade, p. 44; Ian Cumming, Glorious Enterprise – The History of
The Auckland Education Board 1857-1957, 1959, p. 100; Mogford, p. 80.
16
The land this building was constructed on was low lying and swampy. Bade, p. 45; Salmond Reed Architects, p. 5;
Onehunga Primary School Committee, p. 7.
17
James Belich, Paradise Reforged: A History of the New Zealanders From the 1880s to the Year 2000, 2001, p. 130-1; DI
18A.762, LINZ.
18
DI 5A.640, LINZ; Daily Southern Cross, 26 Sep 1867, p. 4.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 8
after the Board decided against relocating the original school building, plans were initiated
for a new senior block to be built on the highest ground of the site, Allotment 6.19
Creation of Onehunga Primary School (former) Main Building
The Onehunga Primary School (former) main building was designed by the architectural
partnership of John Mitchell (c.1859-1947) and Robert Watt (1860-1907), the architects for
the Auckland Education Board. They were responsible for designing all new schools and
additions between 1892 and 1907 and their designs “are held to represent an important
phase in the architectural development of school buildings in New Zealand”.20 Taking
advantage of the prominent position of the site, they designed a large Queen Anne style-
influenced timber building. This created a dramatic landmark from its commanding position
visible from the township, port and harbour. Queen Anne architecture was closely associated
with progressive, secular ideas and was used widely in New Zealand state architecture during
the first decade of the Liberal Government as well as in Britain from the 1870s, particularly in
Board schools.21 The striking applied timbering and detailed bracket ornamentation on the
main façade and belfry evoked civic pride in the institution and demonstrated the
importance given to education by both the government and the local community.22 The
classrooms were symmetrically arranged with two wings either side of the large central room
and wide u-shaped corridors. The building had a total of seven classrooms, five large and two
smaller rooms, as well as a headmaster’s room, a teachers’ room, and two basement
equipment rooms on the eastern side. One of the classrooms was also the school hall and
contained a small museum collection, the cadet rifles and the roll of honour of students who
had received scholarships. Reflecting the importance given to the learning environment for a
good education, features of the modern design also included dedicated science facilities
fitted with gas and water that could be used for a laboratory and the rooms were arranged to
be well positioned for light and air flow.23 Mitchell and Watt continued using an innovative
ventilation and heating system pioneered in their earlier school designs, with large windows
in the gable ends to maximise light, ventilation holes in the eves as well as patent stoves and
roof ventilators in each classroom. The rooms thought to be warmer or cooler were painted
19
Salmond Reed Architects, p. 6.
20
Salmond Reed Architects, pp. 17-18; Lucy Mackintosh, ‘Upgrade Report Onehunga Primary School’, HNZPT, 2010, p. 4.
21
Peter Richardson, An Architecture of Empire – The Government Buildings of John Campbell, MA Thesis, 1988, p. 50;
Malcolm Seaborne & Roy Lowe, The English School: Its architecture and organisation, Vol. II 1870-1970, 1973, p. 8-9.
22
Seaborne and Lowe, ibid.
23
Auckland Star (AS), 20 Nov 1901, p. 4; Warwick Kellaway, Education 150: From schoolhouse to classpace in the Waikato –
Bay of Plenty, 1981, pp. 105, 132
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 9
appropriate colours.24 Other features of the design included separate entrances for every
classroom and washbasins at the ends of the main corridors.25
Construction was initially deferred for a short time as the Board was low on funds, however a
tender of £2,374 plus £60 for the belfry was then accepted from G.M. Handcock and the
building was completed in 1901.26 The building was officially opened with a public ceremony
on November 20th 1901. The Education Board had spent a substantial portion of its £10,000
budget on the improvements at the school totalling £4,000 for the land, new buildings and
other improvements since 1898. The Board hoped this would reduce future expenditure
requirements and reflected the growth and importance of Onehunga, particularly as other
smaller schools in the wider isthmus were experiencing decreasing rolls. The opening was
described at the time as ‘one of the most important events that ever occurred in
Onehunga’.27
Onehunga District High School
Shortly after the main building was opened, the local community pushed for it to be used as
a District High School. Onehunga District School provided classes up to standard seven,
however the community found the expense required for older students to attend secondary
schools in Auckland City to be too high.28 The Liberal Government reforms to education in
1900 widened access to secondary education, previously the preserve of the elite, and the
Onehunga community pushed to take advantage of the new opportunities presented. After
the Education Board provided their support for the proposal, Onehunga District High School
opened in July 1903.29 The school ended the year with the highest number of enrolled
students at a high school in Auckland Province with many students travelling from as far
away as Pukekohe and Point Chevalier.30 By August 1904 the school had more students
24
The rooms were painted with Durecso, a recently patented durable coating that could be coloured as required. At
Onehunga warm colours were used in rooms considered to be colder and cool colours in warm rooms. AS, 21 Nov 1901,
p.1, 27 May 1913, p. 4; Thames Star (TS), 1 Feb 1916, p.5.
25
AS, 20 Nov 1901, p. 4
26
Salmond Reed Architects, p.6.
27
The original school building was demolished and the timber was reused at Richmond Road and Newton West schools. AS,
21 Nov 1901, p. 1
28
Salmond Reed Architects, p. 7; TS, 18 April 1902, p. 1
29
Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1905-1925’, BCDQ A739 1050 Box
264 b 7/11 a; Salmond Reed Architects, p. 7; Onehunga Primary School Committee, p. 8; Mogford, p. 115.
30
Tramlines were extended to Onehunga in 1903 which led to the continued rise in the population of the settlement as well
as contributing to the continued overcrowding of the schools at Onehunga. Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites –
Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1905-1925’, BCDQ A739 1050 Box 264 b 7/11 a; Salmond Reed Architects, p. 8.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 10applying than there was space available.Requests for more classrooms were refused
however, as Auckland Grammar School only had half the roll it was able to accommodate.31
The high school education offered at Onehunga focused on science and technical education
with a view towards agriculture. In 1912 the Education Board determined that it would be
more efficient and economical to close the high school department at Onehunga and the
students could instead attend other secondary schools in Auckland.32
Changes to Onehunga Primary School Main building
The next decades saw a number of changes to the organisation and functioning of Onehunga
District School, later known as Onehunga Primary School, in response to roll growth as well
as changing teaching methods and ideas.33 The main building was primarily used for teaching
the senior classes, standards one to seven, but the rooms were also used for other school
purposes.34 In 1929 one of the classrooms temporarily housed a dental clinic until a
permanent two-chair clinic was built elsewhere on the school grounds; after a special
education class was established in 1930, it was reportedly taught in one of the basement
rooms which had been converted into a classroom, and a school library was created in one of
the classroom spaces.35
Onehunga School was the principal school in the area during these years and was one of the
largest in Auckland.36 The school roll was under constant pressure from the growing
population and the infant block was rebuilt with more classrooms after it burnt down in
1922.37 While the main building wasn’t initially expanded, the need for more classes is
reflected in the changing internal layout of the block. From 1919 the largest classrooms were
progressively partitioned into separate smaller spaces so by 1952 the building was noted as
31
Salmond Reed Architects, p. 8.
32
ibid., p. 9.
33
Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1905-1925’, BCDQ A739 1050 Box
264 b 7/11 a; Nancy Swarbrick, 'Primary and secondary education - Education from the 1920s to 2000s', Te Ara - the
Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/primary-and-secondary-education/page-3 (accessed 14
January 2019); Cumming, p. 640; Belich, p. 154.
34
Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1905-1925’, BCDQ A739 1050 Box
264 b 7/11 a.
35
The dental clinic was to provide care to students at Onehunga Primary School and surrounding schools in the district.
Salmond Reed Architects, p. 11; Report by Railford Gardiner, 1967, in HNZPT, ‘Application for Nomination’, Appendix 1.3,
12015-062; ; Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1925-44’, BCDQ A739
1050 Box 264 c 7/11 2, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1944-1966’, BCDQ A739 1050 Box 265
a 7/11 3; SN146 9000 68 13, Sourced from http://retrolens.nz and licensed by LINZ CC-BY 3.0.
36
Salmond Reed Architects, p. 10.
37
The new infant block was a two story brick building with six classrooms fronting Selwyn Street, south west of Onehunga
Primary School (former). Salmond Reed Architects, p. 11.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 11containing 10 classrooms, the Headmaster’s study, a staffroom, library and cloakrooms in the
corridors.38
The alterations to the classroom layout affected the heating and ventilation arrangements of
the rooms many of which were noted to receive little to no sunlight after the changes.39 In
1939 the patent stoves had been removed and Airflow gas heating had been installed,
however the building was still considered cold and the system was replaced again in 1955
with a boiler located in the infant block.40 The lighting in the classrooms was deemed
inadequate for health and safety standards and electric lighting was installed in 1960.41 At the
same time as the lighting changes, the centre front classroom was converted into staff toilets
and an administration office.42
The school was periodically subject to vandalism and in 1942 a party on the porch of the
main building had caused a small amount of fire damage requiring minor repairs.43 The belfry
was removed from the building in 1947 due to a leak that couldn’t be located and the finials
were also removed before 1967.44 Routine maintenance at the school continued over these
years including a roof replacement in 1957.45 The largest change to the external structure
came in 1968 when it was noted that many of the classrooms were smaller than the
minimum regulated size. Three of the classrooms on the north and west sides were enlarged
38
Ministry of Education correspondence and plans from the mid-1920s indicate that the rear west classroom was partitioned
first followed by the rear east classroom and centre front classroom were also partitioned around this time. The remaining
large classrooms were partitioned by 1967. Other methods to address overcrowding at the school included hiring local halls
for additional classes, Te Papapa School was opened in 1913 to take additional students that couldn’t be accommodated,
and all the Standard five and six students were transferred to the newly established Manukau Intermediate School in 1943.
Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1905-1925’, BCDQ A739 1050 Box 264
b 7/11 a, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1944-1966’, BCDQ A739 1050 Box 265 a 7/11 3;
Bridget Graham, pers. comm. 22 Jan 2019; Salmond Reed Architects, pp. 9, 13; Bade, p. 45; Onehunga Primary School
Committee, p. 10.
39
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 7-A4300; Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries,
NZG-19011130-1039-1
40
Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1925-44’, BCDQ A739 1050 Box 264 c
7/11 2; SN146 9000 68 13, Sourced from http://retrolens.nz and licensed by LINZ CC-BY 3.0; Bridget Graham, pers. comm. 22
Jan 2019 and 29 Jan 2019; Salmond Reed Architects, p. 12; Onehunga Primary School Committee, p. 12.
41
Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1944-66’, BCDQ A7391050 Box 265 a
7/11 3
42
Ibid.
43
Salmond Reed Architects, p. 13.
44
Report by Railford Gardiner, 1967, in HNZPT, ‘Application for Nomination’, Appendix
1.3, 12015-062
45
Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1944-66’, BCDQ A7391050 Box 265 a
7/11 3.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 12with fibrolite extensions and louvre windows and verandahs were also enclosed.46 Other
changes to the classrooms included the installation of orange and grey carpets and Pinex wall
boarding.47
School Grounds and Swimming Pool
When the building was constructed the surrounding grounds were landscaped with terraces
and paths, and a flagpole was erected at the front of the building.48 Further terracing with
rock retaining walls was completed in 1930 as designed by John Park, a former and future
mayor of Onehunga.49 The improvements were partly paid for through local fundraising and a
special grant from the Ministry of Education.50 In 1966 the damage to the walls was fixed
along with fencing of the wider school grounds.51 In the early twentieth century the flat area
west of the building was used as a general assembly space and playground as well as for fairs
and bazaars. From the 1950s this space was evidently paved and used for car parking as well
as remaining a play area.
Following the creation of the first learner pool at Cornwall Park School in 1938, the
Onehunga School Committee began planning for a similar pool at Onehunga Primary
School.52 These long shallow pools were being rapidly introduced into many schools during
the next decades as swimming and water safety were important skills for New Zealand
children given the high rate of drowning deaths on the extensive coastline.53 In 1945 a
46
The school committee spent $16,000 on the upgrades to the classrooms. Salmond Reed, p. 36; Onehunga Primary School
Committee, p. 16.
47
Friends of Onehunga Community House, ‘The Restoration Process of the Onehunga Community House 2002-2016’, as
provided in Review application, BDG 383, HNZPT.
48
Salmond Reed Architects, p. 7; Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, NZG-19011130-1039-1; New
Zealand Herald (NZH), 21 Nov 1901, p. 5 The terracing was completed under the guidance of the Education Board foreman
Mr Waterman.
49
Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1925-44’, BCDQ A739 1050 Box 264 c
7/11 2; Salmond Reed Architects, p. 11.
50
After the work was completed the Board/School Committee initially had some trouble paying the full bill as the
government refused to subsidise the donations. After legal action was threatened by the contractors a special grant was
approved to pay the balance owed. Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga
1925-44’, BCDQ A739 1050 Box 264 c 7/11 2; Salmond Reed Architects, p. 11; NZH, 16 Dec 1929, p. 18.
51
Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1944-1966’, BCDQ A7391050 Box 265
a 7/11 3.
52
The pool at Onehunga School was first proposed in 1939 by the school committee who applied for reduced water rates for
the water supply. Auckland Star, 26 Sep 1939, p. 4; Cornwall Park School Jubilee Committee, Cornwall Park School Golden
Jubilee 1921-1971, 1971, p. 15.
53
From the 1920s the government had subsidies available for taking children to local municipal pools. Swimming lessons for
students at Onehunga before the creation of the learner pool were taught at the beach. By 1967 a third of New Zealand
primary schools had pools that were mostly learner pools. AS, 7 Mar 1945, p. 4; David Pointon, A Dip in the Clear Blue
Water: A History of Auckland City Swimming Baths & Pools, 1984, p. 29; D. R. Wills, Physical Education in NZ: A Brief
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 13learner pool was constructed immediately east of the senior block on a lower terrace for a
total of £265, much of which had been fundraised by the students.54 The pool was large
enough for multiple classes to use it at the same time.55 The fundraising efforts were noted in
Parliament as an example of school/community co-operation that could be used by other
schools to build public facilities.56 In 1958 an experimental filter was installed at the
Onehunga pool which, after proving to be successful in maintaining clean water, was
subsided by the government and installed at a number of other learner pools over the next
decades.57 In 2019 the pool is still in regular use by Onehunga Primary School.
Onehunga Primary School Community
From the earliest days of the Onehunga District School the local community were heavily
involved in its organisation and running.58 The Onehunga School Committee was comprised
of local residents and had responsibility for school functions and sometimes raised loans as
part of their role. Community contributions were also monetary through the fundraising
efforts of the school. From 1922 Mrs R. Buchanan, a local resident, invested in a scholarship
for Onehunga student success known as the Buchanan prize.59 In 1941 community
participation opportunities were enhanced with the formation of one of the earliest active
Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) in the country.60 As well as connecting parents and
teachers through adult education opportunities, the PTA supported the school with events
and fundraising for items such as a new piano, as well as supplying sports uniforms and other
school equipment.61
Outline, 1967, pp. 10, 15; Robert A. Stothart, The Development of Physical Education in New Zealand, 1974, p. 33; Norine
Bouchard, Untold Stories of Onehunga Vol. 2, 2004, p. 81.
54
Salmond Reed Architects, p. 13.
55
This space had been used in the early years of the school as a rifle range by the Onehunga cadets. The students were asked
to raise £40 in a fortnight selling threepenny tickets and managed to raise £45 in the first five days. Some of the learner
pools built at this time cost as little as £100, however the more expensive pools were of higher quality. Auckland Star, 3
Mar 1943, p.4, 7 Mar 1945, p. 4.
56
The learner pool at the school was the first pool in Onehunga. The War Memorial Pool at Jellicoe Park opened in 1956.
Kevin Moran, The shaping of Aquatics Education in New Zealand Schools: An Historical Study of Curriculum Policy and
Practice, MA Thesis, 1999, p. 150; Norma Williams, Between Two Lanes: A Life in Swimming, 1996, p. 72.
57
Archives New Zealand, ‘Buildings and Sites – Primary Schools – Auckland – Onehunga 1944-66’, BCDQ A7391050 Box 265 a
7/11 3; ‘Physical Education – Swimming – Swimming Pools 1950-1963’, BCDQ A739 1050 Box 4615 a 28/9/3;; Stothart, pp.
43-4; Bob Stothart with Ian Culpan, For the Record – An Encyclopaedia of Historical Aspects of New Zealand Physical
Education, 2012, p. 72.
58
Onehunga Primary School Committee, p. 16; Cumming, pp. 22-3.
59
Onehunga Primary School Committee, p. 18.
60
Onehunga Primary School Committee, p. 10; Salmond Reed Architects, p. 12.
61
Onehunga Primary School Committee, p. 17; Onehunga School PTA, PTA Minutes, 110 Nov 1941, p. 170. Salmond Reed
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 14The 1950s and 1960s saw a significant demographic shift in the Onehunga community with
an influx of Polynesians and other immigrants who came to work in the numerous factories
that were established at Onehunga during the post-war years.62 By 1973 the school
curriculum had expanded with cultural clubs and teaching “songs, dances and traditions of
Maori, Samoan, and Niuean cultures as well as those that stem from […] British traditions”.63
A number of students who attended Onehunga Primary School went on to have national and
international success in later years. 64 These careers included politics—Alfred E Allen, John
Rae, George Laking and Aileen Henderson; sports—Peter Wolfenden, Ramesh Patel, Peter
Gurnick, Kevin Curtin and Jonah Lomu; medicine —Dr Murray Brennan; Music—Ricky May;
and fine arts—Olive Emily Jones and Kevin Davies.
From 1973 the future of the buildings at the school was in question as the main building was
identified as needing replacement and the infant block was condemned due to it being an
earthquake hazard.65 The Board decided to build a new school on the lower part of the site
and retain the swimming pool as part of the new complex. The main building continued to be
used during the period of construction (1979–1982) with a plan to demolish it after the new
school opened. In 1980 the Principal of Onehunga Primary School, Lee Drummond, called a
public meeting to discuss turning the building into a community house once it was no longer
needed for classes as an alternative to demolition.66 The plan received local support and the
building became known as Onehunga Community House in 1982 under the management of
the Friends of Onehunga Community House Committee.67
Onehunga Community House
The committee expressed interest in restoring the building in the early 1980s however no
physical changes were made. The Friends of Onehunga Community House Committee
Architects, p. 14.
62
Peter Verschaffelt, Onehunga Primary School Legacy and Legend – the school on the hill, 2015, p. 12. Jones, City @ Risk -
Onehunga; Salmond Reed Architects, p. 14.
63
Onehunga Primary School Committee, p. 15; Salmond Reed Architects, p.14.
64
Jonah Lomu attended the school from 1980. The present school was constructed during his schooling and the swimming
pool was retained as part of the school complex. John Parker. 'Jones, Olive Emily', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography,
first published in 2000. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5j7/jones-olive-
emily (accessed 25 January 2019); Auckland Council Heritage Unit, ‘Appendix 6’, p. 50; Verschaffelt, pp. 43-70, 75-99;
Onehunga Primary School Committee, pp. 18-19.
65
Salmond Reed Architects, p. 15.
66
Salmond Reed Architects, p. 16.
67
ibid.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 15formed and took over management of the building from 1992 and in 2002 the committee
began organising and fundraising for the restoration which was completed in stages under
the direction of conservation architect Antony Matthews.68 In 2005 a replacement belfry,
designed to closely replicate the original, was built and added on the earthquake
strengthened roof in the same position as at construction in 1901.69 The original school bell
was reinstalled in the new structure. The enclosed south porch was opened and the finials
were also remade and replaced. A new sprinkler system was installed in 2006. From 2007 to
2014, the internal rooms were restored to their original design with most partitions, wall
coverings and carpets removed and a ramp was built to the new main entrance door on the
west side of the building. The louvre windows were replaced with multi-pane windows
designed to match the remaining original ones and the removed walls were rebuilt. All lean-
tos were removed and French doors opening onto a new central deck were added between
the rear classrooms. The carpark west of the building was resurfaced in 2016. The total
amount fundraised for the restoration totalled over $950,000 in early 2018.70 The Friends of
Onehunga Community House created a museum in the small classroom in the west wing. The
museum contains artefacts associated with New Zealand education such as early flashcards
and books, items specific to Onehunga Primary school such as old school books and
committee minute books, and general Onehunga history. The building is used by a wide
range of community groups daily including yoga classes, craft groups, family gatherings, and
public meetings.
Associated List Entries
N/A
68
The Friends of Onehunga Community House Committee formed in 1992 and became an incorporated society in 1994.
Friends of Onehunga Community House, ‘Restoration Process’; Bridget Graham and Tony Broad, pers. comm. 29 January
2019.
69
The original structure partly remained internally after the belfry was removed. Antony Matthews, pers. comm. 21 January
2019; Central Leader, 7 September, 2005, p. 9; Correspondence, Tunnicliffe to Robin Byron, HNZPT Heritage Advisor
Architecture, 26 March 2007, HNZPT file BDG 383.
70
Review application, received 21 August 2018, HNZPT file BDG 383.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 162.2. Physical Information
Current Description
Context
Onehunga Primary School (Former) is located at Onehunga. Onehunga is a residential suburb
on the central Auckland Isthmus on the northern edge of the Manukau Harbour. The School
forms part of a collection of buildings associated with the development of Onehunga as a
colonial centre including Onehunga Blockhouse, (1860, List Number 91, Category 1),
Onehunga Post Office (1901-2, List Number 5473, Category 2), Carnegie Free Library (1911-
12, List Number 4796, Category 1), Church of our Lady of Assumption (1887-9, List Number
523, Category 2), St Peters Anglican Church (first constructed c1848, scheduled Auckland
Unitary Plan, 1621). The place is opposite the Manual Training classrooms that were built to
service schools in Onehunga District from 1920.
The site
The school is prominently located on the lower slopes of Maungakiekie overlooking
Onehunga and the harbour and adjoins the present primary school on the south and east
sides. The building is located in the centre of the generally rectangular site with the
swimming pool in the eastern part of the site and the carpark on the west side fronting the
road. The concreted driveway extends along the north side of the building with a raised
garden on the boundary and grassed terraced area is located in the southern side.
Exterior
Onehunga Primary School (former) is a large striking building with plain kauri timber
weatherboards and a corrugated iron roof. The building is broadly symmetrical and arranged
along an east-west axis with a complex roof with multiple gabled elements. The main
elevation faces south and encompasses three projecting north-south aligned gabled bays
separated by two recessed bays with flush gables. There are also two further single story
gable elements at the rear which are aligned east-west and are parallel to the rest of the
building and a basement under the eastern side of the building. The prevailing form for the
roof is gabled with connecting ridged sections.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 17South Elevation This is the main elevation and includes the three projecting bays with the recessed bays in between. The belfry is located on the centre projecting bay which also has an additional gablet on the east and west sides. This elevation has the highest amount of ornamentation as it is the most prominently visible side from the main part of Onehunga. The design incorporates a distinctive window arrangement with one or two central twelve-pane sash windows flanked by eight-pane windows and surmounting three-pane windows. The windows are visually emphasised with applied vertical timbering and triangular pediments. Other elements include boxed eves with decorated brackets and finials, as well as smaller decorated brackets supporting the window sills. Doors are located on either side of the projecting bays beside the flush gables. On the eastern side the doors are accessed via wooden and concrete steps while on the west side the doors are joined a wooden deck with central steps. The base of the building has flush narrow vertical timber boards which support the building above the downhill eastern slope. Shuttered twelve-pane sash windows are located within the base that provide light to the basement. West Elevation The west elevation faces Selwyn Street and incorporates a ramp to the present main entrance doors. The window arrangements are a mixture of the original window arrangement and restored windows which also use twelve-pane sash windows. This elevation is less ornamented than the southern elevation but continues the use of elements such as the boxed eves with decorated brackets and finials, and applied vertical timbering. This elevation has a grassed space in front of the building with the paved carpark joining the road. North elevation The north elevation is primarily comprised of the rear gabled elements with a fenced central timber deck in between. There is continued use of retrained ornamentation included boxed eves, brackets and finials. The windows are primarily twelve-pane sash windows and surmounting three-pane windows and there are also four six-pane windows above French doors opening onto the deck. East elevation This elevation is the only two story element within the building with the basement below the eastern most part of the building. The windows are a mixture of eight and twelve-pane sash Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 18
windows with surmounting three-pane windows and shuttered basement windows. Applied vertical timbering is minimal and the main ornamentation is through the use of boxed eves, decorated brackets, and finials. There is a metal staircase to the external door of the main part of the building and four doors to access the unfloor space and basement areas in the base of the building. Interior The main building of Onehunga Primary School (former) has predominantly the same interior layout as at 1901. The restored classrooms generally have match-lined vertical kauri timber walls and polished kauri timber floors. The ceilings of the classrooms are high pitched with exposed rafters and iron ties. The visible remains of the spaces through which the chimneys and ventilation were inserted through the roof remain in the rooms. The corridors are also generally the same with match-lined walls and polished floorboards, however they have board and batten ceilings and a dado rail along the walls. The internal walls have fan lights between the rooms and the corridor. Each of the gable ends have sash windows. The classroom spaces on the main floor are connected by the hallway and the layout is broadly symmetrical and can be discussed in three parts. - Centre section The centre part of the building formerly comprised of a single room that has been partitioned. North of the partition is a classroom space with a blackboard and internal windows, including one in the partition wall. South of the partition are the female and handicapped toilets separated from the partition by a section of corridor which joins the east and west corridors. The toilets have a low ceiling above them, and at the roof level is the base of the belfry and the bell rope can be accessed from this space. On east side of the centre room is the former teachers’ room which is presently the male toilet and on the west side the headmaster’s room and part of the west corridor is presently a caretaker’s residence with a kitchen, a bathroom and bedroom. - East Wing The east wing comprised of the u-shaped corridor around a small classroom space and two large classroom spaces on the north and east sides. The small and the east classrooms have fixed blackboards and the small room is presently carpeted. The north classroom has French doors on the west side opening onto the deck and a small kitchenette in the south east Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 19
corner and ceramic tiles are visible on the opposite side of the wall in the corridor. The corridor also contains two large built in cupboards. - West Wing This wing also has a small classroom and a large north classroom and the west classroom has been partitioned into two spaces. The partitioned rooms are used as a kitchen, with a sink and other facilities, and as an office. The office contains a wall that has layers of exposed wall decoration showing the different stages of décor since construction. There are also marks on the floor which are associated with the now removed gallery seating present in the school from 1901. Some marks are present also present in the north classroom which also has French doors to the deck. The small classroom is in use for the museum collection which includes a number of artefacts associated with Onehunga school including student exercise books, a volume of original Onehunga School Committee Minutes (1937-1942), two volumes of Onehunga School PTA Minutes (1944-1960, 1976-1978) as well as research into the history of the school and former students, and a variety of records relating the management of the place by the Onehunga Community House Committee between 1980 and 1990. The museum also holds artefacts and furniture related to schooling in New Zealand and associated care of children including books, word cards, chairs and desks, and a dental chair and other artefacts related to the wider Onehunga district. The corridor contains early cloak-bay hooks beside the kitchen door and the Buchannan boards and framed images of Onehunga are hung on the walls. Basement The basement has vertical match-lining and plain ceiling and floorboards. The rooms have timber posts with pillows under the support beams for the main rooms of the building. Swimming Pool The swimming pool is located immediately east of the building on a lower terrace. The pool, which is surrounded by a galvanised steel fence, measures approximately 75ft by 17ft. The pool has brick walls lined with a painted concrete lining. At the south side of pool is a changing room and pool filter house constructed from concrete block and timber. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 20
Comparisons Onehunga Primary School (former) is one of a small number of surviving schools built on a large scale demonstrating the national commitment to education during the early twentieth century, a time when the provision of education was expanding due to population growth and legislative change associated with the Liberal Government. Built in a diverse number of architectural of styles, other schools include Bayfield School (former), Auckland, constructed 1896-1912 (List No. 112, Category 1 historic place), Hunter Building, Wellington, constructed 1906 (List No. 221, Category 1 historic place), Auckland Girls Grammar School Main Block, constructed 1909 (List No. 112, Category 2 historic place), St Michaels and All Angels Stone School Building, Christchurch, constructed 1912 (List No. 1927, Category 1 historic place), Auckland Grammar School Main Block, constructed 1916 (List No. 4471, Category 1 historic place), and Wellington East Girls College Main Building, constructed 1923 (List No. 1445, Category 1 historic place). The place is one of a small number demonstrating the commitment to the primary school education along with Bayfield School (former). Both these schools are examples of Queen Anne style-influenced architecture which is closely connected with progressive secular education around the world. Bayfield School was built and expanded over many years unlike the main building at Onehunga Primary School (former) which was designed as a single concept and built at one time. Other surviving examples of this style of architecture are additions to schools including Karangahake School (List No. 127, Category 1 historic place), and Cambridge Primary School (List No. 4157, Category 1 historic place). The architectural style was also used for other state buildings during the first Liberal Government including Dunedin Prison (Former), (List No. 4035, Category 1 historic place) and The Bath House (former), Rotorua, (List No. 141, Category 1 historic place). Construction Professionals Mitchell and Watt - Architects G.M. Handcock – Builder Antony Matthews – Architect (Restoration) Construction Materials Heart Kauri Timber Brick Concrete Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 21
Key Physical Dates
1898 – Land purchased for school
1901 – Original construction
Pre-1919 – Rear-west classroom partitioned
1920s – Rear-east and centre classrooms partitioned
1930 – Grounds extensively landscaped
1939 – Patent Stoves removed, Airflow gas heating installed
1942 – Building damaged by fire
1945 – Learner pool constructed
1947 – Belfry removed
1955 – Boiler heating system added.
1957 – Building re-roofed
1960 – Electric lights installed; classroom converted to staff toilets and administration office
1968 – Building extended and verandahs enclosed
2005-6 – External restoration work, including reconstruction of belfry
2007-2014 – Internal restoration work, removing partitions, carpets, wall coverings; removed
extensions and replaced louvre windows with replica sash windows.
Uses
Education School (Former)
Civic Facilities and Recreation Community Centre
2.3. Chattels
This List entry includes chattels that contribute to the heritage significance of the place.
Sick Bay bed
These beds were used in New Zealand schools from at least the mid-twentieth century as sick
bay beds. This bed is presently kept in the kitchen of the Onehunga Primary School (former)
main building.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 222.4. Sources
Sources Available and Accessed
Primary sources available include archives records relating to the place during the period that
it was part of Onehunga School with plans and correspondence, and newspaper reports on
PapersPast. Secondary sources include books about the history of schooling and Onehunga
as well as reports and plans about the building and overviews of the area. Site visits were
undertaken as well as conversation member of the Friends of Onehunga Community House
committee.
Further Reading
Salmond Reed Architects, ‘Former Onehunga Primary School – Selwyn Street, Onehunga:
Heritage Assessment’, DRAFT, 2002
Mogford, Janice C., The Onehunga Heritage, Onehunga Borough Council, 1989.
Onehunga Primary School Committee, Onehunga Primary School Centennial 1873-1973,
1973.
3. SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENT71
3.1. Section 66 (1) Assessment
This place has been assessed for, and found to possess aesthetic, architectural, historical, and
social significance or value. It is considered that this place qualifies as part of New Zealand’s
historic and cultural heritage.
Aesthetic Significance or Value
Onehunga Primary School (former) has aesthetic significance as an elaborate building of
grand proportion which is one of Onehunga’s most prominent landmarks. The Queen Anne
influenced exterior decoration has been enhanced with the replacement of the removed
belfry and finials during the restoration emphasising the original design.
Architectural Significance or Value
Onehunga Primary School (former) has architectural significance as a visually well-preserved
example of the use of Queen Anne influenced architecture in state buildings, particularly
71
For the relevant sections of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014, see Appendix 4:
Significance Assessment Information.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 23schools, in New Zealand during the period of the first Liberal Government. Queen Anne style architecture was associated with progressive ideas and was used in secular state schools internationally. The place is representative of the wider use of this style in schools across the country as public schooling expanded in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The focus of the ornamentation on the main façade shows the importance of the visual impact of the place on the community and demonstrates how architecture was used to convey the priorities of the state and local communities. The original design and plan of the building has been generally preserved. The place is also one of the last remaining grand school buildings designed by Mitchell and Watt during their time as architects for the Auckland Board of Education and only remaining design that was constructed at a single time. It shows their innovations in window arrangements placed in the gable ends intended to capture more light as well as retaining physical details related to the earliest heating and ventilation used in the building. Historical Significance or Value Onehunga Primary School (former) has historical significance as a symbol of the educational philosophies of the first Liberal Government and the development of education over the twentieth century. Being built in 1901 and soon converted into a District High School the place demonstrates the investment in education made by the Liberal Government and the Auckland Education Board as well as the expansion of secondary education in the early years of the century. The changes to the place show the changing expectations of education over the century as classrooms and teaching methods altered. The creation of the learner pool in 1945 is also significant as part of a historic shift in expectation of access to swimming education in the mid-twentieth century. The place also reflects the development of Onehunga township having been constructed on a large scale that demonstrates the importance of the settlement at the turn of the century. Social Significance or Value Onehunga Primary School (former) has been an important building in the Onehunga community for well over a century since its construction. The community-initiated retention of the place when it was threatened with demolition and subsequent re-use as a community facility demonstrates the community’s support and commitment to their former school. The continued fundraising and restoration of the place by the Friends of Onehunga Committee to the present reflects the communities’ ongoing interest in the place. It remains in use for a Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga – List Entry Review Report for a Historic Place, List No. 7109 24
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