The Dunedin Heritage Fund is a contestable grant fund administered by Dunedin City Council and Heritage New Zealand. The fund supports the conservation and continued use of the City’s key heritage places.
Funding round dates
The next funding round closes: 31 July 2024.
The Heritage Fund has four funding rounds per year. The upcoming closing dates are:
- 31 October 2024
- 31 January 2025
- 30 April 2025
You can also make an application for emergency works at any time.
Grants from our most recent funding round
2 Aurora Terrace, Port Chalmers
A $5,000 grant was allocated for a structural engineer’s report for Ralph Hotere’s former art studio.
The former studio is a place of outstanding aesthetic, cultural and historic significance to New Zealand and Dunedin alike. From his studio, Hotere created many of his most significant early works. There he developed enduring friendships and connections with other leading artists and writers in Dunedin. These collaborations often resulted in artworks that combined both his and others work. The studio remains a powerful symbol of the historic and artistically significant work Hotere created while living in Port Chalmers.
The report was recommended as part of a conservation plan for the building, and will help inform the scope of work that will be required to uphold and look after the significant place.
4 Royal Terrace, Central Dunedin
A $13,000 grant was allocated towards repair of an existing bluestone retaining wall at Royal Terrace. The grant will assist with reinstating the existing bluestone in front of a new concrete block wall and will maintain the appearance of traditional masonry.
Records suggest the house was built in 1890 for Alfred and Jessie (nee MacNeil) Finch. Finch was an active member in Dunedin society where he served as a solicitor and as chancellor of the Anglican Diocese, a well as being involved with the musical culture of the time and several sports clubs. The house remained the Finch family home until 1939.
The grant will help with the repair of the retaining wall and maintaining a visual aesthetic appropriate for the elevated heritage residence and the heritage streetscape of Royal Terrace.
16 Duncan Street, Central Dunedin
A $2,000 grant was allocated towards retrofit double glazing of the double hung sash windows of this brick dwelling at Duncan Street.
The brick dwelling is understood to have been built in the late 1880s as the primary residence of John Wishart and his family. It remained in the Wishart family until 1955. The house is a two-storey brick standalone terrace-style dwelling. Some of the building’s decorative elements include the parapet brackets and dentils, string courses, and cast-iron lace on the verandah.
This grant will help improve the dwelling while retaining its historic materials and character in the City Rise Heritage Precinct.
4 and 6 Adam Street, Central Dunedin
A $15,000 grant was allocated towards the replacement of the roof and weatherboard cladding, and the restoration of wrought iron gates and fences on two properties at Adam Street.
These dwellings were constructed in 1910 for a Miss Walker at a value of £1100. The two houses at 4 and 6 Adam Street are visually similar to four neighbouring terrace houses constructed one year earlier by the same builder – R. Meikle. All dwellings are two-storeyed villas connected in a terrace-style. Each has a single gable and a bay window at the ground floor. Every second house has a small balcony on the upper story. The properties also both boast a wrought iron gate and fence in need of restoration.
The grant will contribute to the ongoing repair and maintenance of these distinctive heritage residences in the City Rise Residential Heritage Precinct.
54A and 54B Russell Street, Central Dunedin
An $8,000 grant was allocated towards the repair of the decking membrane, and the replacement of the balustrade and a door on the street elevation of a dwelling at Russell Street.
This residential property of two flats began its life in the nineteenth century as a shop with a dwelling above. This densely populated area was notable for its compact homes, and this particular corner previously acting as a hub for small shops.
The grant will contribute to the repair and restoration of this character contributing building in the City Rise Residential Heritage Precinct.
Sallsbury, North Taieri
A $20,000 grant was allocated towards the repair and retrofit double glazing of the double hung sash windows and stained-glass window of this gentleman’s residence.
Salisbury is a substantial two-storey brick residence built as the home of prominent settler, farmer, and politician Donald Reid (1833-1919) between 1863 and 1873. The later part of the house was designed by one of New Zealand’s finest colonial architects Robert Arthur Lawson. The house has architectural and historical significance as one of the Taieri Plains’ most substantial estate homesteads.
The grant contributes to a wider restoration project undertaken by the owner of this notable property. Image credit: Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
St Peters Anglican Church Cottage, Caversham
A $10,000 grant was allocated to go towards timber repairs and the repainting of the exterior of the cottage at St Peter’s Church in Caversham.
This cottage is one of three buildings included in the HNZPT Category 2 St Peter’s Anglican Church Complex. The cottage, likely dating back to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, has a long association with the church and was originally home to the church gardener. It is a typical worker’s cottage.
The grant will contribute towards making the cottage suitable for use as a church office.
University of Otago Home Science Block, Dunedin North
A $39,000 grant was allocated for the restoration of the cast iron rain water spouting and downpipes on the University of Otago’s Home Science Block. The notable building forms part of the University’s historic campus.
The Home Science School was founded in 1911, and the building to house the school was later opened in 1920 designed by Edmund Anscombe. It followed the traditional Gothic styling used by Maxwell Bury for other earlier established university buildings. The school has played an important role in the training of dietitians for New Zealand's hospitals and health institutes.
The block is constructed of Leith Valley Andesite with a slate roof. The work on the rainwater infrastructure and pipes is part of a wider project focused on earthquake strengthening and refurbishing the building.
Applying for funding
Before applying for funding, we recommend contacting the DCC Heritage Advisor by phone on 03 477 4000 or email heritage@dcc.govt.nz to discuss your project.
Download your application form and submit before the next closing date.
| heritage@dcc.govt.nz | |
| Post | PO Box 5045 Dunedin 9054 |
| In person | Deliver to the Customer Services Counter, 50 The Octagon, Dunedin Central |
Important Information:
- You cannot apply for funding for work that has already been started or completed.
- The GST portion of the project cost is not eligible for funding.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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Am I eligible to apply?
If you own a historic place, you are likely eligible to apply.
- Refer to Section A on Page 8 of the application form.
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What works can I apply for?
The Dunedin Heritage Fund can provide grants for a wide range of works that contribute to conserving, upgrading, and retaining historic places.
- Refer to Section B on Page 8 of the application form.
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How are applications prioritised?
Applications are prioritised by the significance of the place and of the works. The criteria are outlined in the application form.
- Refer to Section C on Page 8 of the application form.
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Can someone help me with my application?
A DCC Heritage Advisor is available to help you with planning your application and completing the application form. They can make an appointment to visit you at your property. Please contact them on 03 477 4000 or heritage@dcc.govt.nz.
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Where else can I apply for funding?
Where you can get funding depends on who owns the place.
Funding for private owners
If you are a private owner (a company or individual) and your property is listed with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga or of equivalent significance, you can apply to the National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund.
The National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund provides grants to encourage the conservation of nationally significant heritage places in private ownership. The fund prioritises places of national significance which need conservation work.
For more information, visit Heritage New Zealand’s website.
Funding for incorporated societies or charitable trusts
For entities such as incorporated societies or charitable trusts, there are several places you can approach for funding:
Each funder will have their own requirements. We recommend you contact funders directly to check if your project is eligible.
If you are an organisation that offers funding for the conservation of historic places, and you would like to be listed on this page, contact us at heritage@dcc.govt.nz.