The Character Coalition is an umbrella group representing heritage, historical and special interest groups and residents associations who care deeply about their city.

We have joined together out of a sense of frustration that the community is not being listened to. We have watched with despair as precious buildings and areas have been destroyed to make way for, often inappropriate, new developments. We have felt shut out of the decision-making process that determines development in our local environments, a process that seems designed to disempower ordinary citizens.

We believe that our Bottom Lines are realistic, sustainable and fair in order to protect character and heritage in Auckland. For more about the Character Coalition.

Click here to help or Support the Character Coalition

The Character Coalition has joined forces with Auckland 2040 in calling on the Council to rethink the Unitary Plan.

We do not oppose change or growth. We know there will need to be intensification but this plan has been done the wrong way around. A bottom up process would have engaged people at the beginning of the discussions and led to widespread buy in.

If people feel they have had a say and been listened to they are more willing to accept change. The Council must listen to this ground swell and use it as an opportunity to get a better result not dig in and refuse to make the changes being called for.

The meeting last night made it clear they would suffer at the ballot box in October if they don’t.

Media coverage of the above meeting included:
3News: Residents up in arms over Auckland Unitary Plan
New Zealand Herald: New Zealand Herald article

The Character Coalition applauds the Mayor’s decision to rethink the height limits in four coastal areas. However if he thinks that these are the only areas unhappy with the Unitary Plan he is very wrong.

Aucklanders are demanding the process be slowed down so that more consultation can occur and communities can be properly engaged in deciding where intensification is to occur in their areas. Only then will he achieve the kind of consensus he is after. Just saying people are happy with the plan is not going to fix it Len.

Read the following articles and listen to the Radio New Zealand’s Nine to noon Audio and let the Mayor know what you think he should do. Len.Brown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

15 May 2013: Strong reaction prompts Auckland plan re-think
16 May 2013: Brown backs down over high-rises

Wayne Brittenden’s Counterpoint: Auckland Heritage

Wayne Brittenden takes a critical look at the reality of heritage, Auckland style. Chris subsequently speaks with Waitemata and Gulf councillor Mike Lee, and Brisbane conservation architect Peter Marquis-Kyle.
Listen to here: Radio New Zealand National, from Sunday Morning on 14 October 2012

A simple guide to Brisbane’s heritage places and character homes.

In Brisbane only places listed in the City Plan Heritage Register or the State Government’s Queensland Heritage Register (or both) have legal protection. These registers are assembled and managed separately, but have similar criteria.
Click here to view ” A simple guide to Brisbane’s heritage places and character homes. (as a PDF 1.93MB)

Presentation to Auckland Plan Committee July 3rd 2012

The Character Coalition had an opportunity to speak to the Auckland Plan Committee, where we outlined four main mechanisms we believe should be in the Unitary Plan.
The Coalition looks forward to being part of the process to develop the plan and help create a liveable city that respects it’s history, values its heritage and allows its citizens to be truly involved in the development of their built environment. Continue …

The Resource Management Reform Bill proposes stopping local authorities from having blanket protection rules. If it is passed it is possible that in tree clad areas like Titirangi and Laingholm any tree or group of trees, unless they are listed in the District Plan, will be able to be felled. This could result in the deforestation of the area over a period of time.
Continue… Resource Management Reform Bill

“Character is the collective contribution of locally distinctive features
expressing the evolution of a place.”