Blog

The Cathedral Project has received a $500,000 grant from Lottery Environment and Heritage for the earthquake strengthening and development of Taranaki Cathedral. “This is fantastic news and a real boost as we head into 2019 – a year during which we aim to begin work on our $15 million project,” The Cathedral Project fundraising lead Cathy Thurston said. “We thank the Lottery Environment and Heritage committee for their much appreciated support, which greatly acknowledges the regional and national significance of... read more

The Taranaki Cathedral tea towels are available in red or black writing. Taranaki Cathedral has been immortalised on a commemorative tea towel as part of the fundraising campaign to restore the historic church. Designed by The Cathedral Project remediation and design manager Jenny Goddard, the tea towel features architectural line drawings of each elevation of the cathedral and the words “History, faith, worship, community, friendship, education and celebration”. “The wording reflects our aspirations as we work to raise the $15... read more

Taranaki Cathedral’s array of ornate stained glass windows is the inspiration behind a fundraiser for the restoration of the historic church. Bakers from the Taranaki Cathedral congregation have been busy making Cathedral Cakes to help raise money to earthquake strengthen the cathedral and redevelop the site. The Cathedral Project campaign manager Jan Mason says 100 of the 750g cakes, packed with fruit and nuts, will be available for purchase from Monday, 12 November, for just $40 each. “The Cathedral Cake... read more

Warren Boys and Ian Roebuck, of Ian Roebuck Crane Hire, remove the northen gable cross at Taranaki Cathedral. Having sat atop Taranaki Cathedral for more than 100 years, it was perhaps understandable that the large stone cross looking out over New Plymouth clung on for as long as possible. The cross, on the northern gable facing Vivian Street, was removed today as part of the preparatory work for the earthquake strengthening of the historic church. All the crosses on top... read more

One of the stone crosses that sits atop Taranaki Cathedral will be removed early tomorrow morning. The Cathedral Project design and remediation manager Jenny Goddard said the cross, which is on the northern gable and faces Vivian Street, could be a safety concern and would be taken down by crane. “As part of the earthquake-strengthening of the building, it has always been planned for the crosses on top of the cathedral to be removed and then reinstated when the remediation is... read more

The Cathedral Project design and remediation manager Jenny Goddard (centre) speaks with building services engineer Patrick Arnold, of eCubed, and project architect Brenda Solon, of Tennent Brown Architects, at Taranaki Cathedral. The people who have been entrusted with developing the plans for the earthquake strengthening and refurbishment of Taranaki Cathedral came together on-site this week, gathering information for the last push towards a finalised design. “It’s a mark of how much closer the project is getting to actually physically starting,”... read more

Although light rain falls, the aroha and warmth of Archdeacon Tiki Raumati shines through as people of all races and faiths gather to lay to rest the respected minister and kaumatua. Being buried in the grounds of Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary is, in some ways, The Venerable Tikitūterangi (Tiki) Raumati’s final sermon – a silent yet visible, powerful and enduring message of peace and reconciliation, reaffirming his profound connection with Taranaki Cathedral and his commitment to bringing people... read more

Matt Cathcart, left, and Toa MacDonald, of Clelands Construction, excavate the foundations of Taranaki Cathedral’s oldest wall, which was built in 1846. The Cathedral Project is digging into the church’s past to ensure there is a strong base on which to build the cathedral’s future. Excavation investigation work of the 172-year-old building’s foundations is being undertaken as part of the project to earthquake strengthen and refurbish the historic cathedral – New Zealand’s oldest stone church. “The project’s engineers, Holmes Consulting,... read more

The re-opening of Taranaki Cathedral is a step closer following the granting of resource consent for the earthquake strengthening and refurbishment of the historic church. “It’s a really pleasing result and an important milestone,” The Cathedral Project remediation and design manager Jenny Goddard said after the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) reported its decision. “It gives us surety around the design for the remediation of the cathedral and enables the drawings to now be developed further by a range of specialists... read more

An open and honest telling of Taranaki Cathedral’s past will help more people understand the church’s role in the region’s turbulent history, Cathedral Project fundraising lead Cathy Thurston says. The $15 million remediation of Taranaki Cathedral and enhancement of the site includes a world-class welcoming atrium space, which will incorporate professionally curated displays, multi-media resources and audio visual guides, recounting the church’s history and its role in the relationship between Maori and Pakeha over 175 years. “We believe this development will... read more