Russell

Wi Whareumu Irimana Ahu Whenua Trust, 2003

Click to edit Master text styles

Second level

Third level

Fourth level

Fifth level

Russell

A presentation for the Small Towns Conference, August 2003

by Helen Pick & Helen McCormack

PowerPoint by Jacqui Knight

August 2003

An Experience :

(with illustrations by the children of Russell, from handpainted tiles)

Welcome to our place


Click to edit Master text styles Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level

Our town : Russell or Kororareka



Potted history of our town : Russell or Kororareka

Originally called Kororareka, the name tells of

a Maori chief who was wounded in battle and

asked for some penguin broth.



Potted history of our town : Russell or Kororareka

After tasting the broth he said ‘ka reka te

korora’ or ‘how sweet is the penguin’.




Site was once a major centre

of trade between Maori,

European and American

traders and settlers




Frequent port of call for whalers and sealers

seeking provisions.




Once described as the ‘Hell Hole of the

Pacific’, the colourful history has seen many

conflicts fought and resolved.

Even today, the musket ball holes can still be

seen in the town’s historic church.




Bishop Pompallier established

a Catholic Mission in 1839.

‘Pompallier’ built in 1841-42

to house the Mission’s

printing of religious texts.




Many other historically important buildings:

Christ Church (built in 1835 with a hipped

roof, roofline modified in 1871)

Old Custom House - now Police Station,

1870, etc




Nearby (Okiato) was named ‘Russell’ and

decreed first capital of NZ on the signing of

the Treaty of Waitangi, 1840.

Capital buildings and name shifted to

Kororareka/Russell as the site was busier

and more convenient.




Government Gazette proclamation in January

1844 extended the boundaries of Russell to

include Kororareka “which would henceforth

inherit its name” and become Port of Entry to

the Bay of Islands.




Russell has national, regional and local

significance.

Recognised by FNDC in District Plan

Three Heritage Precincts - The Strand, Christ

Church and Wellington St areas.




In 1926 famous American writer and

adventurer, Zane Grey, was invited to the

Bay to experience and write about what has

now become recognised as one of the

world’s greatest sportfishing grounds.

Tourism began!




Small businesses, apart from:

Department of Conservation - was once head

of BOI Heritage Marine Park

NZ Historic Places Trust : Pouhere Taonga

Fullers Bay of Islands



Our Identity

The Russell community has

evaluated its identity three times

over the past 25 years.




Consultation!!!



1975-1977

Department of Lands and Survey

conducted extensive research:

“What qualities give Russell its special significance and make it attractive to residents and visitors alike.”



1980

Russell style was formalised through a booklet, ‘The Russell Book’.

An advisory centre established giving detailed interpretations of Russell’s objectives and values.



1980This is what was planned for the Village Green, looking from the waterfront. Note the verandahs to the Town Hall so that ‘it relates more positively to the Village Green’.



1980This is what was envisaged for Cass Street from the wharf “encouraging pedestrian activity through the development of a paved square… prohibiting entry by private motor vehicles”.



December 1991

Public meeting called: “Your views on Russell ‘Twenty Years Out”. Mandate developed encapsulating views. Perceptions that Russell was special and

uniqueness were similar to previous studies. Russell 2000 (charitable trust) formed.



Stage 1

Fundraising undertaken. Some plans put aside because of imminent

sewage scheme/stormwater separation. Those plans which were not subject to

infrastructure modification were put into action, e.g. York Street.



Stage 1

Intensive repaving, planting and tree installation.

Arid area transformed into a much more attractive, people-friendly street space.

Two shopping areas abutting onto Cass St linked into village centre.



1992This is a view of Cass Street captured on film by Laurence Aberhart, world-renowned photographer who lives right here in Russell.



1992

“…trees and shrubs to provide summer shade and winter shelter… withstand drought and wind.”

“Pavings in red brick on cement mortar, benches and seats in sheltered corners and under the trees…”

“...breaking up the grey asphalt with native trees…”

“...inviting islands for human commerce where people can linger and enjoy the town.”

View fromthe Wharf



July 1998

Russell 2000 calls public meeting. Update 1991 Mandate - many objectives have

been achieved. Views expressed on Russell’s future direction. Committee set up to analyse these

perceptions.



July 1998

Comments recorded and categorised.

Outcome defines qualities and uniqueness of Russell.

Sorted under four headings. Attributes remarkably consistent

with previous studies.



1. History/Heritage

Russell is: historically important the cradle of New Zealand European history a national heritage and part of New Zealand’s

identity essential to New Zealand very old - Maori can trace back 1000 years



1. History/Heritage

Russell has: layers of history/presence cemeteries and sacred sites soul/spirit/mauri a sense of guardianship amongst its citizens



1. History/Heritage

Spirit “Understand the soul of the place” “Recognise the presence of tangata whenua” “There’s a spirit in this place - If you offend it, you will leave” “The town will outlive all of us” “Russell fights back” “Spirit moves you” “Russell affects your spirituality” “People change when they come here”



1. History/Heritage

Caretakers/Guardians/Heritage The people of Russell are conscious that they have

something significant. They see themselves as guardians of Russell’s history, and also as caretakers of Russell’s character, which includes architecture from the 1920s/30s/50s.



2. Village/Small Town/Centre

Russell has: a sense of community human scale architecture/small houses on large

sections pedestrian friendliness




Safe/Slow/Quiet/Peaceful Reminiscent of childhood” “Restful haven” “Safe place to bring up kids “small, slow, relaxed/quiet/slow pace” “It’s still okay to stop in the middle of the road for a chat” “Can hear the moreporks at night, no cars” “Russell is a restful place” “Safe - can walk down the road at 1am - can’t do that in Auckland”

“nostalgia” “nice quiet little town” “slow, as in the 30s, 40s, 50s”




Pedestrian-friendly “Pedestrian” Can walk down Russell streets without being run over by a car” “Walk or pushbike” “Pleasant to walk around” “A walking town more than a driving town” “Such a walking town that visitors have to jump-start their cars when

they leave - they haven’t been used” “Level, flat, walking, human” “Relative vehicle-free environment”




Community/collective responsibilityRussell people feel a strong sense of belonging to and protectiveness towards Russell

“Our village” “Russell belongs to all of us”





something significant. They see themselves as guardians of Russell’s history, and also as caretakers of Russell’s ‘character’, which includes architecture from the 1920s/30s/50s.




KEY CONCEPTS:

Safe

Pedestrian-friendly

Commercial centre



3. Rural/Scenic/Natural

Russell is: naturally beautiful peninsular open spaces/a town and rural atmosphere sub-tropical an anchorage/village a holiday town




Rural/country/natural “Rural, not urban” “I remember unsealed raods - Russell was rural then - it’s urban

now” “Not comfortable with formal planting” “Cows, dogs, animals, ducks, geese have the right of way” “Three cheers for ducks and geese - part of the village scene”




Russell has long associations with other Pacific Islands, apparent in its sub-tropical plantings




Scenic/natural beauty “Holiday place” “Summer camp” “Coastal” “Yachtspeople” “Exposure to the seasons” “Gateway to the BOI” “Scenically beautiful” “Natural amphitheatre, flanked by two promontories with bays on

both sides”

“Climate/weather” “Seaside holiday”




Russell has beautiful walks and beaches and is physically contained by its landforms.

Contribute to the physical beauty of Russell. Adds to perceptions of safety and relaxation.





something significant. They see themselves as guardians of Russell’s history, and also as caretakers of Russell’s ‘character’, which includes architecture from the 1920s/30s/50s.




KEY CONCEPTS:

Rural

Scenic

Seaside



4. Real/Genuine/Honest

Geographic isolation/inaccessibility Living on an ‘island’, you’ve got to be honest - got to face

yourself” “not perfection - Far North e.g. staff shortages, power” “can’t run a slick city business here” “isolated island - different way of life” “have to rely on others more”




Russell residents see themselves as: friendly and welcoming wary of becoming ‘citified’




Caring/friendly/intimate “Caring/sharing” “It’s the people” “People know each other” “Know shopkeepers, people that you trade with” “Caring/nurturing each other” “We’re human in Russell - we stop to talk” “So easy to talk to anyone in Russell - always a smile and a wave” “Personally know people we trade with”

“Old-fashioned values” “Intimate residential quality” “Sense of intimacy”




Open-minded/diverse “Open-minded” “Non-judgemental “diversity - age and creed” “diverse yet compatible” “few places where cross generations can gather these days -

grandparents, parents, children” “diversity - people here’s right to be individual” “cosmopolitan mix of people”




Not ‘hot’/city/commercial “Don’t want to wear silly hats - don’t want to be a hot city

suburb “not city life” “not overly commercial” “don’t care if y ou do or don’t drive a BMW” “danger of landscaping - wedding cake which never existed” “lamppost lights turning town into something dishonest”



4. Real/genuine/honest

KEY CONCEPTS:

Real

Un-citified

Friendly



Stage 2

Meanwhile, fundraising had continued for Cass Street.

2003 - Goal of over $100,000 raised. Contributions from Far North District Council and

Kawakawa Community Board. Necessary permissions obtained, stormwater works

undertaken. Beautification put into action.



Stage 2

Restoration based on nine principles:

1. Accentuate and make more available the exceptional beauty of the Russell landscape and seascape.

2. Accentuate, respect and conserve the unique historic character of Russell.



Stage 2

3. Strengthen the connections between the town, the beach and the sea.

4. Improve the connection between the beach and the town.

5. Make the pedestrian spaces in the town more user-friendly, efficient and safe.

6. Keep scenic vistas open and strengthen the connection with the sea and the historic features.



Stage 2

7. Provide shelter for the pedestrians from the sun and the rain.

8. Provide a relaxed friendly ‘Russell’ atmosphere for visitors and locals alike.

9. Carefully respect the landscape and history of the town in a way that will make Russell economically viable in an environmentally sustainable way.



Components - Cass St Design

1. The bay

2. Historic Kororareka Beach

3. Wharf

4. Crossing - where beach, wharf, people and buildings intersect.



Components - Cass St Design

5. Russell Square - facing the wharf.

6. Vehicular square - Cass St, leading to York St

7. Crossing - York Street crossing Cass St

8. Backdrop of trees, hillsides and ridgeline.



Contributors to the Design

1. Seascape beach, wharves and boats

2. Landscape - trees, hills, skylines

3. History

4. Buildings

5. People



Design

Cass St divided into three interconnected areas:

1. Eastern York St end forms a tree-planted parking and arrival area.

2. Middle - multi-purpose square for people and vehicles - main reception area for visitors.

3. Western section designed to interlock Cass St, Strand and the wharf into an attractive and efficient linking strongly into Kororareka Beach.



Design

Two pedestrian ways on the North and South sides form the safe pedestrian linking passages. These are developed as shaded seating and resting areas.



Design

Clearly defined access for pedestrian traffic. Clearly defined access for vehicular traffic. Series of attractive people places. Strong links to beach/harbour with unusual

rustling brown pebbles - key part of Russell’s natural beauty.



Your mission!

Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to evaluate how our town measures up in providing you with an experience?

How is our town achieved in retaining and enhancing its qualities:



Your mission!

Collect a Heritage Walk brochure (published by the Russell Museum).

Can this brochure be made ‘more user-friendly, i.e. encourage more visitors to partake of our Heritage Walk?



Your mission!

Look at the Museum, and their plans for the future. How will this enhance their experience?

Look at the NZ Historic Places Trust property Pompallier. How will this enhance the experience of visiting Russell?



Your mission!

How can the shops, cafés and restaurants make a visit to Russell more of an experience?



1992Remember that view of Cass Street?

Look at it ten years later!1994199519961997199819992000200120021993

Russell

Documents

Transcript of Russell