Art of Green Gables

A pretty patch of Howick history is to become a haven for the town's artistically minded, writes Andrea Jutson
Howick Art Group could be the new tenant of historic Green Gables, next to Hawthornden Reserve in Cook St. A concept has been drawn up by Manukau City Council, combining the reserve with newly acquired land around Green Gables. The 1937 cottage was bought by the council in 2003, and was to have been removed. However, a heritage assessment recommended the cottage stay where it is. It is proposed the house be let to Howick Art Group for at least three years, providing a semi-permanent home for the group's exhibitions. The grounds might be used for displays, encouraging community participation. Hawthornden Homestead was built in 1848 for fencible officer Captain Alexander MacDonald. The original building burned down, to be replaced by Green Gables. The last owners of the house moved to Perth, and offered it to the council. Given the house's heritage assessment, finding the right tenant has proved difficult, as the interior was rated more important than the exterior. Parks planner Malcolm Page says the rooms were too small for many groups, but to have knocked walls down would have spoiled the place's historic feel. ``We had to match the building to a group, not the other way round,'' he says. Resource consent has been applied for to change the use of the house. A comments form is accessible at www.manukau.govt.nz Complete, and return it to Manukau Parks, Private Bag 76 917, Manukau City, by Friday, December 8.