Five Wellington heritage sites a step closer to losing protections

Author: Ethan Manera,
Publish Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2026, 3:36pm

The bulk storage tank at 139 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington is owned by Sir Peter Jackson, who wants to develop the site for his production company. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Five heritage-protected Wellington sites are a step closer to losing their special status.

A Government investigation has found their heritage provisions were having “negative impacts on economic growth and employment”.

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has opened consultation on proposed changes, including demolition of a rusting, heritage-protected oil tank owned by Sir Peter Jackson.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little and Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty wrote to Bishop in May asking him to investigate five cases where they believed heritage protections were restricting growth and development.

The sites include the Courtenay Place Heritage Area, the Karori Tunnel, the Kelburn Viaduct, the former General Headquarters Building on Taranaki St, and the old oil storage tank in Miramar.

The Courtenay Place Heritage Area includes multiple blocks of land from Kent Tce to Tory St, with restrictions imposing height restrictions on new development of 18m-25m.

The report, also released today, proposes removing the height restriction on non-heritage buildings within the precinct, while maintaining restrictions on heritage or “heritage-contributing buildings”.

The four other structures are on the list of heritage items, but are proposed to be removed to allow for development or modifications.

The former Army General Headquarters Building (left), the Kelburn Viaduct (middle) and Karori Tunnel (right) are all proposed to have their heritage protections removed, Photos / Heritage New Zealand

Bishop said estimates suggested modifying and removing the protections could enable about 770 additional apartments, generate $280 million in construction activity, and support about 300 jobs through commercial redevelopment.

“There are several statutory steps that must be completed before any regulations can be made.”

He encouraged anyone with relevant information, evidence or views on the heritage provisions to take part in consultation.

McNulty said it is “fantastic news for Wellington”.

“Heritage is important to protect but has to be balanced against cost and other priorities.

“Wellingtonians have seen what goes wrong with urban blight such as Gordon Wilson [Flats].”

The Gordon Wilson flats sat derelict on The Terrace for more than a decade, with the owner unable to develop the site due to heritage protections, which were stripped through a special amendment to the Resource Management Act (RMA) by Bishop last year.

A historic heritage evaluation of the oil tank said it was installed by the British Imperial Oil Company in the 1920s and used for storage.

“It has significant historic values; its townscape values contribute to an understanding of the history and development of the area; and the tank provides technological information about standard design and construction,” the 2021 evaluation said.

The bulk storage tank, located at 139 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington is owned by Sir Peter Jackson, who wants to develop the site for his production company. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The tank site was purchased by a company owned by billionaire film-maker Sir Peter Jackson and partner Dame Fran Walsh, so they could expand their neighbouring Park Road Post Production studios.

While their current plans are unknown, Bishop said commercial development of the site could see film studio facilities built.

After consultation, Bishop will consider feedback from impacted parties as well as Wellington City Council, before deciding whether to recommend the changes under the Resource Management Act.

Ethan Manera is a Wellington-based journalist covering Wellington issues, local politics and business in the capital. He can be emailed at ethan.manera@nzme.co.nz.