Slate money needed for 'holy' roof

Picture / Dean Purcell

Auckland Bishop Pat Dunnand the Catholic Church are urging people to "save our holy roof" in a bid to meet a $3.7 million shortfall in renovating historic St Patrick's Cathedral.

More than $12 million is needed to restore the 160-year-old landmark, but only $8.3 million has so far been raised.

The church is pinning its hopes on a "donate a slate tile appeal", where a $20 donation will help plug the holey roof.

Fundraiser Greg Shanahan said the slate appeal was a good way of involving the community in the project to restore "a treasure buried in the heart of the CBD".

He said the money so far raised was enough to get the major construction done and the cathedral was sticking to its target of reopening in April next year.