Official opening crowns campaign to save Dunedin’s historic courthouse

Justice William Young (left), Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull and Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias led yesterday’s procession from the Dunedin Town Hall to the courthouse. Photos: Gerard O'Brien

Jacinda Ardern unveils her first plaque since becoming Prime Minister, as part of the Dunedin Law Courts reopening ceremony.

Crowds packed the streets to watch the procession yesterday, many filming the event on their phones, and even local barrister David More got in on the act.

Dame Sian Elias paid tribute to the local law community, the Dunedin City Council and the ODT for the campaign that saved the courthouse.

Colin Withnall QC was joined by a host of other legal luminaries for a ceremonial sitting of the Dunedin High Court.

Dunedin Law Courts reopen

How we got here

December, 2011: Initial seismic assessment delivered by Opus to the Ministry of Justice shows parts of building to be high earthquake risk. Initial complete complex strengthening costs estimated at $4 million. Ministry vacates danger areas of building including tower and two courtrooms.

February, 2012: Jury trials moved temporarily to Invercargill.

March, 2012: Opus produces another report estimating tower and external ornamentation strengthening at $2.5 million.

May, 2012: Ministry holds workshop with property staff, engineering consultant companies and Heritage NZ on building’s future. Family and civil registries move to John Wickliffe House.

May, 2013: Lease formally signed for 184 High St as temporary replacement. Ministry announces it is in final stages of getting approval for courthouse strengthening work, which is expected to take two years.

Late 2014: Tonkin and Taylor undertake technical investigations, finding a risk of liquefaction under the foundations of the tower.

May, 2015: Ministry relocates remainder of court services to High St.

July, 2015: University of Otago law alumni plead with Government for the building to be saved.

August, 2015: Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull writes to various ministers expressing council’s concerns and asking for talks. Dunedin Courthouse Taskforce created to push Government to fund restoration.

September, 2015: Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams announces early investigations indicate project cost would be more than $15 million. Taskforce launches online petition to get the public to encourage Government to restore the building.

October, 2015: Save Our Courthouse group starts public postcard campaign directed at Government.

December, 2015: Cabinet announces courthouse will be strengthened, restored and modernised in a more than $15 million project lasting two years.

September, 2016: Building consent approved by the Dunedin City Council shows renovation costs rise to more than $18 million. Dunedin construction company Amalgamated Builders announced as the contract holder for project, which in total will cost about $20 million.