A new exhibition that showcases two extraordinary scale models of the city opened today at AUT.

Historic Landscapes: Presenting Auckland’s Future is an exhibition from Auckland City Council and AUT University that introduces the council’s new approach to heritage and encourages Aucklanders to look at their city in a different way.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the history and evolution of Auckland’s unique and inspiring landscape,” says Mayor of Auckland city, Hon. John Banks.

The exhibition includes scale models of Auckland city dating back to 1939. The two recently conserved, inter-changeable physical scale models of Auckland city built in 1939 and 1969 will be key drawcards of the exhibition. Both in storage since the 1980s, the 1939 model depicts the city at a specific moment in time, while the 1969 model tested Auckland’s evolving layout over two decades.

The exhibition also marks the official launch of a new heritage website, Heritage Online (http://heritage.aucklandcity.govt.nz). The new site provides access to information about heritage items across Auckland city. 

“This will become the most comprehensive online list of heritage items in New Zealand and provide an important research tool for all the people of Auckland,” says Mr Banks.

The exhibition also features a presentation of interactive maps that explore the history and development of the Auckland city landscape. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to use the maps to gain a greater understanding of the way in which the Auckland city landscape has developed over time.

Historic Landscapes is on until July 21 (Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm) at St Paul St Gallery Three, 39 Symonds Street.