About the trust

Canterbury’s heritage building stock has suffered irretrievable loss over the past 18 months in the wake of thousands of earthquakes and aftershocks.  Many of our most prized buildings are gone forever and many more risk demolition.

The Canterbury Earthquake Heritage Buildings Fund (the Trust) exists to provide financial assistance to owners of Qualifying Heritage Buildings so that the precious few heritage buildings which remain and which are feasible to repair might be saved.

The Trust was formed in late 2010 as a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri Councils and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust with grants from each of those organisations contributing to start up capital.  A generous $1 million pledge from Fletcher Construction initiated the first significant grant for the restoration and reconstruction of a noted Christchurch Heritage building – the 1882 McKenzie and Willis building in High Street. To further support the work of the Trust the Government has pledged to match dollar-for dollar all donations made to the Trust to a maximum of $10 million.

The Trust is administered by Trustees who have the powers set out in the Trust deed. 

The Fund is an approved donee organisation with the IRD (registration number – 20351231).  This entitles an individual or corporate donor to claim a tax credit, or deduction, for any donation over $5.    

Damaged heritage or character buildings in private ownership located within the Canterbury region will qualify for financial support from the Fund.  Funding will be targeted to bridge the gap between insurance cover, and the actual cost of repairs and associated works including conservation works, structural upgrading and Building Code compliance works.   Trustees will give preference to buildings the preservation of which will make a significant contribution to the historic identity and visual character of a place and will, in turn, confer maximum public benefit. There is more information about the types of projects the Fund will support in the Fund Policy document.

Donors may choose how they would like their financial contribution to be allocated.  They can give to the “general fund” or to a specified building on a “tagged list”.    All owners of qualifying heritage buildings are eligible to apply to the general fund for assistance.   The “tagged list” is a group of qualifying heritage buildings from across the Canterbury region which the Trustees have pre-approved for receipt of funds. Donors have the opportunity to select which of the “tagged” buildings they wish to support. 

There are a number of damaged heritage and character buildings which can, and should, be saved so our communities can benefit from them, both now and in the future.  

Retaining and repairing these buildings is a lengthy, complex and essential process which will require funding assistance. These buildings cannot be saved without your help. 

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