The Cathedral Project - A Taranaki Taonga
Our vision is of a uniquely developed cathedral precinct with the power to impact visitors and locals alike.
Taranaki
The closure of the Taranaki Cathedral in January 2016 due to earthquake risk has awakened the region to its historical and cultural value.
We are raising funds for a single cathedral precinct with worship, mission, education, tourism and visitor hospitality facilities accommodated on the beautiful and historically significant site in central New Plymouth.
•Firstly to re-open the historic stone church. The vision is of an outwardly facing cathedral that welcomes people of all faiths and none to a flexible space that allows for contemporary or traditional worship, a meeting or musical performance.
• Build an atrium space honoring Sir Paul Reeves that draws visitors on to the site. This space will allow us to host functions and house professionally curated displays telling our story and modelling a bi-cultural partnership for the future.
• Complete a site redevelopment that will integrate the historic vicarage, visitor facilities and car parking.
More about us
Understanding our past to build our future - Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary is the oldest stone church in New Zealand, in the heart of New Plymouth. Its stories belong to us all. Together we can play a part in its development.
Use of funds
Donations will be used as above- to reopen the stone church, build an atrium place, and complete site redevelopment.
Latest update
Taranaki Cathedral's restoration receives $1.5million boost 29 June 2019
Taranaki Cathedral has received $1.5 million boost towards its ongoing $15m restoration project - as new pictures have been released showing how the site will be developed.
The TSB Community Trust has committed the money to the Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary dependent on the remainder of the funds being raised.
So far the cathedral has secured $8.7m in donations, and this latest pledge was welcomed by Archbishop Philip Richardson, who called it an important funding milestone.
Meanwhile, consultation with the parish and Ngāti Te Whiti hapū on a refreshed site development plan continues, with artist's impressions showing how it could look, including the addition of a striking new building.
The restoration will involve the sensitive earthquake strengthening of the historic stone cathedral, the oldest stone church in New Zealand, a repurposing of the historic vicarage, and a new building which will reflect Te Ao Māori, the place of Ngāti Te Whiti, Te Ātiawa as mana whenua, and form the cornerstone of the Sir Paul Reeves Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.
The new building, called Te Whare Hononga (the house that binds) will be curated with displays and act as an education hub grounded in the wairua (spirit) and heritage of the historic site.
The design follows intense community and parish consultation over several years and brings all cathedral functions on to one site.
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