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The Government has agreed to match Auckland Council’s $15 million pledge to restore the dilapidated St James Theatre.
The joint $30 million funding commitment has come after years of campaigning, setbacks and debate about the historic theatre’s future. Auckland’s art and inner city businesses have been pushing for the Government to step in and save St James Theatre, with their campaign earning support from former prime minister Jacinda Ardern.
Arts and Culture Minister Carmel Sepuloni confirmed on Saturday that the Government would match Auckland Council’s $15 million commitment to help repair the St James.
NZ GREEN PARTY
An extract from Chlöe Swarbrick’s video, Save St. James Theatre, shows how the Auckland central theatre is now dilapidated, with mushrooms growing inside.(Video from August 2022)
Before Ardern left, Sepuloni said she had set aside this fund for the St James repairs. With a new plan from the theatre’s owner, who was still expected to find upwards of $35 million to fund the restoration, Sepuloni said the Government was finally able to partially fund the project.
“Yes, she was struggling to make it happen – but I have to acknowledge Jacinda as well. She has actually contributed to the announcement we’re able to make today… we were able to utilise some money the prime minister had tagged before she left,” Sepuloni said.
The theatre, which is recognised as a Category 1 Historic Place by Heritage New Zealand, was damaged during a fire in a neighbouring building in 2007.
It briefly reopened in 2015 before another fire, this time involving faulty electrics, damaged the stalls.
The building was not insured and has been largely abandoned since it lost funding for restoration in 2015.
Vandalism, including an incident which left the building exposed to rain, saw mushrooms sprout.
At the time, it was estimated the project would cost $66.6m.
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage offered $1.5m in funding for the restoration in 2017. The offer remains open.
The owner of the theatre, St James Holdings, would be expected to cover the balance of the renovation.
Director Steve Bielby said the funding would secure the theatre for the next 100 years. He said the council and Government funds would be enough for structural work at the site.
He set a goal of having the theatre reopened by its 100th birthday, which is about five years away.
The Taxpayers Union criticised the funding, saying the council and Government shouldn’t bail out private property developers.
“The owners of the theatre chose not to insure the building. Taxpayers should not be subsidising the poor financial decisions of property investors,” lobbyist Callum Purves said.
Sepuloni said it was worth the money, for economic and cultural wellbeing.
”We shouldn’t forget the value that arts, culture and heritage brings – not only to people’s general well-being, but it is about sustainable careers in the art sector as well as supporting employment and jobs,” she said.
Labour and Green MPs, Auckland Councillor Mike Lee, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, musicians and representatives of business lobby Heart of the City all arrived at the derelict St James on Saturday to support the funding.
As part of the council’s deal, repairs to St James would have to start by June. Bielby said shovels would be in the ground early next year.
Lee said budget constraints at Auckland Council meant it wasn’t an easy decision to remain committed to this project.
“It’s great that the present mayor has upheld that original commitment. Auckland Council was way more flush with money when that commitment was made,” Lee said.
He said the council wanted to see the St James reopened, likening it to the City Rail Link and Sky Tower convention centre projects as major investments needed for the inner city.
Heart of the City boss Viv Beck said Queen St needed the energy and people that a repaired St James should bring.
“There will be more investment attracted by this decision,” she said.
“This will really strengthen this part of the central city. It’s been a bit of a sad sight for some time, as it’s lay vacant. And I think revitalising this area, repairing the St James, will bring in more people and make it safer as well.”
Abigail Dougherty/Stuff
In 2016 it was estimated restoration of the theatre would cost about $66.6m.
Green MP for Auckland Central Chlöe Swarbrick, who has been vocal in the campaign to see the theatre revived, said she was thrilled.
“We did it. With many hands, years of work and a whole lot of creative campaigning, we’ve secured the restoration of the St James Theatre,” she said.
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Award-winning singer Reb Fountain said music and the arts were key to a thriving city.
Tāmaki Makaurau based singer Reb Fountain said bringing the theatre back to life would create opportunity for local artists to grow their audiences.
“Not to mention all the crew with a highly technical expertise, who earn their livelihoods here, make magic happen behind the scenes and have professional development opportunities.”
Fountain added that the government’s investment was a “huge acknowledgement, that like countless cities and countries around the world, we recognise that live music is a priority sector worth investing in.”
“A sustainable music industry and creative arts sector is a beacon at the heart of a thriving city.”
Built in 1928, the St James Theatre was a key Auckland arts precinct, Sepuloni said.
It is one of the best-preserved vaudeville theatres in Aotearoa.
“It was where Sir Howard Morrison premiered ‘Whakaaria Mai’, his Te Reo Māori version of ‘How Great Thou Art,’ in 1981, and Queen Elizabeth II attended performances and events there three times during her reign.”
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