Alan Matson has been recognised by the Orangi Kaupapa Trust for his work to preserve old buildings. Photo / Kenny Rodger
Heritage campaigner Allan Matson has been barred from this year's Heritage Festival on the same day he was recognised for battling to save old buildings.
Mr Matson was yesterday recognised by the Orangi Kaupapa Trust and given a cheque for $3000 for the work he has done to
preserve many inner-city buildings.
The trust recognises and rewards people whose work benefits the quality of life in New Zealand, and who receive little or no financial recognition for the work they do.
The bicycle-riding and historically-minded Mr Matson has almost single-handedly saved the Fitzroy Hotel, built in 1855 on the corner of Wakefield and Lyndock Sts and one of the oldest brick buildings in the city.
He lost his first fight, to save the building next to the Baptist Tabernacle Church on the corner of Queen St and Karangahape Rd.
Since then he has led the battle to save the Canvas City building on the corner of Hobson and Cook St and joined the fights against the loss of the Jean Batten Building and taking land from Albert Park for the $113 million upgrade of the Auckland Art Gallery.
Some battles have got him offside with Auckland City Council, and the council yesterday barred him from September's Heritage Festival.
The reason? His topic was the subject of an Environment Court appeal against the council and was covered by another event. Regardless, Mr Matson plans to proceed on his own with two lectures at the Ellen Melville Hall in central Auckland on his experiences protecting old buildings.
Mr Matson said the recognition by the trust was humbling and was pleased other people could see what he had been doing for almost five years.
"It's not an easy fight," said the 45-year-old, who has had to learn the Resource Management Act to engage in battle.
Mr Matson said Auckland City had a lot of good people and initiatives but it was a "great big ponderous, moribund bureaucracy" when it came to preserving old buildings.
That had been evident in the four-year battle to save the Fitzroy Hotel.
