Rosy Outlook for Courthouse

One of Levin’s historical buildings is being relocated within the town after the Ministry of Justice gifted the old Levin Courthouse to the Horowhenua District Council.

Mayor Brendan Duffy said the Council negotiated to keep the original part of the courthouse as it was one of the few buildings available from the turn of last century.

“It has historical significance and its removal will come at no cost to Council.”

Levin Public Rose Gardens has been selected as the new location of the 104-year-old building.

“It has the potential to really enhance the rose garden setting. There are a number of suggested uses including community group clubrooms, café, meeting rooms, and exhibition display space. This is a brilliant opportunity to hold onto a piece of history,” Mr Duffy said.

Parks Assets officer Doug Tate said the courthouse would be placed at the north end of the rose gardens and once on-site, the area would be landscaped with roses planted around the courthouse, complementing its character.

“We have been working with key stakeholders who made submissions during the Draft Annual Plan Process on the Rose Gardens to bring the two projects together.”

Mr Tate said stakeholders included members from clubs and groups such as the Horowhenua Floral Art Club, Levin Garden Club, Horowhenua Rose Society, and Keep Levin Beautiful as well as individuals.

“Both entities are confident that the placement of the historic courthouse in the rose gardens will work well together. Feedback has been very favourable with the two projects rapidly gaining momentum.”

He said historic rose varieties would be identified and sourced to complement the courthouse and add to the rose collection already at the site.

Proposed as part of the upgrade for the site was the reconfiguration of the old roses into four large beds with standards, new paths and edging, the installation of historically donated seats from the Oxford Street upgrade, a small car park to service the courthouse and more large rose beds throughout the site.

Mr Tate believed the upgrade also linked well to work already undertaken or proposed in the area including the new Horowhenua Arts Society Building and the proposed upgrade of the Levin Cenotaph by the Adopt-an-Anzac Group

A community working group made up of interested parties and Council staff is to be formed to prune the roses and establish an ongoing maintenance programme.

Once details are finalised, it is proposed work will commence on Stage One of the rose garden upgrade in the next few weeks, relocating the old roses to make way for the courthouse and the installation of the first new rose beds on the site.

Volunteers interested in joining the working party should contact Doug Tate on (06) 366 0999.