Would you like to play a part in enhancing the heritage of Tāmaki Makaurau?
Auckland Council has opened funding applications for the 2025 Regional Historic Heritage Grant Programme.
Heritage buildings, and archaeological sites are part of what gives Auckland its distinct identity.
Individuals, iwi or Māori groups, community groups and trusts can apply for up to $50,000 for the preservation of heritage places.
Councillor Angela Dalton, chair of the council’s Community Committee says the grant is a great way to kick-start or contribute to the preservation of an historic building or place.
“The region’s historic heritage places are taonga that deserve to be preserved for all Aucklanders to enjoy, now and for years to come.
“The Regional Historic Heritage Grant offers a real opportunity for communities to restore, preserve and enhance heritage sites.
“Tāmaki Makaurau abounds with Māori cultural heritage sites and the council is eager to support the kaitiakitanga of these heritage places. We especially welcome applications from groups wanting to preserve and enhance these taonga,” says Cr Dalton.
Applications for this year’s Regional Historic Heritage Grant Programme (RHHGP) funding round are open from 21 July 2025 until 15 September 2025.
The funding priorities include:
- Conservation of regionally significant historic heritage places, including places in an historic heritage area.
- Conservation of at-risk historic heritage places, including initiatives which address the impacts of climate change.
- Supporting kaitiakitanga of Māori cultural heritage places.
Success story – St Mary’s Chapel, Ponsonby
Since 2022, McAuley Trust and Salmond Reed Architects have been undertaking restoration of the historic St Mary's Old Convent Chapel in Ponsonby.
A Regional Historic Heritage Grant supported the restoration and repair of the stained and painted lead light windows. Prior to the restoration, the window glass was cracked, the lead lighting was disintegrating, and the steel supports were rusted.
Stained glass window in St Mary's Old Convent Chapel.
“It has been a privilege to be entrusted with the care of this beautiful chapel. The McAuley Trust extends its heartfelt gratitude to Auckland Council for the Regional Heritage Grant, and to the dedicated professionals from Salmond Reed Architects, Matassa, A Touch of Glass, Otahuhu Engineering, and Zandric Enterprises. Your commitment and expertise have been instrumental in preserving this treasured place.
The restoration project won both a Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects NZIA - Auckland Branch Heritage and Resene Colour Award. St Mary's Old Convent Chapel is protected under the Auckland Unitary Plan as a category A historic heritage place. It is also listed in the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga - List Rārangi Kōrero as a category 1 place.
Restored stained glass window in St Mary's Old Convent Chapel.
Mother Cecilia (Ellen) Maher commissioned the chapel on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy in Auckland, and it was blessed by Bishop Pompallier in 1866. Designed and built by renowned architect Edward Mahoney in the Gothic Revival style, the chapel is built from kauri with ornamental timber buttresses and tall arched windows.
Learn how to apply through a grant workshop
Learn more about these grants and the application process at an online workshop.
Date: Tuesday 5 August 2025
Time: 12.15pm to 1.15pm
Please RSVP by emailing grants@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for the calendar invite.
More information about the Regional Historic Heritage Grants Programme, and more information to apply is available on the main Auckland Council website.
