IN THE MATTER

of the Resource Management Act

1991

AND

IN THE MATTER

of an application to establish and

operate a convention centre (the
proposed New Zealand International
Convention Centre), hotel and air
bridge.

STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE OF DAVE ALAN PEARSON (HERITAGE) ON

BEHALF OF NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE
LIMITED

1.

INTRODUCTION

1.1

My full name is David Alan Pearson. I hold the degree of a Bachelor of

Architecture and have also undertaken post-graduate studies at the
Centre for Conservation Studies at the University of York, United
Kingdom.

have

specialised

in

heritage

and

conservation

architecture for the past 30 years. I have been a registered architect

and an Associate of the New Zealand Institute of Architects since 1976.
1.2

Currently, I am the Principal at Dave Pearson Architects Limited

("DPA"). I established DPA in 1996, in order to provide specialist

services involving the restoration and adaptive reuse of heritage
buildings.
1.3

Conservation architecture continues to be the main emphasis for my

practice, which has been the recipient of a number of architectural and
heritage awards for large commercial projects, as well as buildings
such as the Auckland High Court, and the historic pumphouse at the
Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland, which was also the
recipient of a UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Merit Award.

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2.

CODE OF CONDUCT

2.1

I confirm that I have read the Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses
2014 contained in the Environment Court Practice Note and that I
agree to comply with it. I confirm that I have considered all the material
facts that I am aware of that might alter or detract from the opinions that
I express, and that this evidence is within my area of expertise, except
where I state that I am relying on the evidence of another person.

3.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3.1

In my opinion the effects of the Proposed Development on Nelson

House will be less than minor and that positive effects will be generated
by the Proposed Development.

3.2

I endorse the heritage related conditions proposed by the Reporting

Officer.

In my opinion, the proposed conditions ensure that the

heritage fabric and hence the heritage values of the building will be
preserved during the construction phase of the project.
4.

INVOLVEMENT IN PROJECT

4.1

DPA was engaged by the New Zealand International Convention

Centre Limited ("Applicant") to provide a heritage evaluation of the
application for resource consent to establish a multi-use convention
centre ("NZICC"), a proposed hotel, air-bridge and associated
streetscape upgrade ("Proposed Development").

4.2

My involvement is set out below:

(a)

I undertook a heritage assessment of the Nelson House (the

former Berlei factory) in November 2014 to determine the
heritage values of the building.

This forms Appendix 10

(Heritage Assessment) to the Assessment of Environmental

Effects ("AEE"), dated 18 December 2014.
(b)

I prepared a Heritage Impact Statement in December 2014.

This forms Appendix 9 (Heritage Impact Assessment) to the
AEE. For completeness, I note that this was peer reviewed
and supported by the late Sir Ian Athfield, in Appendix 11
(Heritage Peer Review) to the AEE.

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(c)

I prepared a revised Heritage Impact Statement dated 23

February 2015, in response to initial feedback received from
Council officers. This was provided as part of the response to
the section 92 request for further information.

(d)

I submitted a Supplementary Heritage Report on 21 May

2015, in response to the technical review of Adam Wild of
Archifact - Architecture and Conservation Limited, dated 27
March 2015.

4.3

My key conclusions were:

(a)

Although the Proposed Development will result in substantial

demolition of Nelson House, the identified heritage values of
the building will be preserved.

(b)

Any adverse effects arising from the Proposed Development

will be less than minor:
(i)

The most significant features of a historic heritage

building are being retained and incorporated into the
new development, in compliance with the Operative
Auckland District Plan: Central Area Section and the
Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan.

(ii)

Considerable effort has been expended to ensure

the new building respects and acknowledges the
most significant elements of the building, being the
external walls fronting onto Nelson and Wellesley
Streets.

(iii)

No other scheduled building in the vicinity (being the

Albion Hotel and St Matthew-in-the-City) is affected.

(c)

The effects on "intactness" will not be perceived beyond the

bounds of the site, and will be less than minor.

(d)

The majority of attributes for which Nelson House was

originally scheduled will remain unaffected.

There is no

reason why the building should not continue to be listed

following the completion of the NZICC. The building and its
significant features will be preserved for the future.

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5.

REPORTING OFFICER'S REPORT

5.1

I have read the report prepared by Mr Richard Blakey. In particular I

note that Mr Blakey:
(a)

agrees with the findings reached in the Notification Decision

that the proposed demolition does not give rise to a more than
minor adverse effect on the environment;

(b)

considers that the restoration of the significant Nelson Street

and Wellesley Street West external walls of Nelson House
that have exceptional heritage significance is a positive effect;

(c)

considers that the building will maintain its identity and its
contribution to the street character of the Wellesley / Nelson
Street corner; and

(d)

concludes that any adverse effects will be mitigated or offset

by the range of positive effects inherent in the proposal.

5.2

I agree, for the reasons given in my earlier work referred to in

paragraph 4.2.

6.

PROPOSED CONDITIONS

6.1

In light of the above, I endorse the heritage conditions in the Reporting

Officer's Report, which are included unchanged in the version
submitted by the Applicant in evidence.

7.

CONCLUSIONS

7.1

Although the Applicant will substantially demolish Nelson House, the

key features that contribute to the buildings heritage values, being the
external walls facing onto Nelson and Wellesley Streets, will be
retained and incorporated into the NZICC.

7.2

Overall, the adverse effects on the heritage values of Nelson House will
be less than minor and will be outweighed by the positive effects of the
Proposed Development.

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7.3

I support the grant of consent on the conditions proffered by the

Applicant.

David Pearson
21 August 2015

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