Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value The Public Trust office came into existence in NZ in 1872 when the Public Trustee Bill, instigated by Julius Vogel, passed through Parliament. The main function of the Public Trustee was to administer the estates of deceased persons who had named him as executor of their wills, and the estates of those people who died intestate. From approximately 1910 the Trust went through a period of 'unprecedented expansion, much reorganisation and large amount of political criticism. In 1912 a Government Commission investigated the dealings of the Trust. The amount of work given to the Public Trustee, at that point Dr Frederick Fitchett, was well beyond the capability of the resources provided. Under the Public Trust Office Amendment Act, October 1912, provision was made for the appointment of four local Deputy Public Trustees in four major centres; including Auckland. This was the first delegation of authority made since the initial Act of 1872. The opening of the Auckland Office was a part of the general move toward decentralisation. It acted for forty years as the centre in Auckland of the Public Trustee business.

Physical Significance

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: The Public Trust office façade is one of the few classical buildings with a temple front detail in Auckland. This particular detail is unusual in that it has no pediment as it was taken from a circular prototype. Hoggard & Prouse were influenced by the neo-classical designs of Sir John Soane. The classical style is used to convey association of stability and continuity and elements were combined in a picturesque manner. Axiality and symmetry no longer governed the planning, this was influenced by the utilitarian demands of the brief. The three storeys and the window detail within the temple front were a result of practicalities such as the need for daylight and classical motifs were applied to form a picturesque composition. There was much debate concerning the use of concrete to imitate stone. The whole building was conceived of as a strong box and concrete was chosen because of its durability and economic cost. The debate was as to whether cement was a suitable material for a public building. The extent of which the designers want to detail the concrete with masonry lines was commented on, 'One almost shudders on finding that certain lines have been cut on the cement face of the Public Trust to represent stone joints'. This criticism shows the influence of the thought of the Arts and Crafts movement and which lead to the removal of all classical decorative detailing from designs. It is the beginning of modern movement ideas of new materials such as concrete had to express their true nature and this building represents how the transition from the Victorian and Edwardian thought to 'modern' architectural thought occurred. These ideas were developed further in their next major design, the NZI building probably due to the influence of Gummer who joined the firm in 1913. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK SIGNIFICANCE: The Public Trust office building still maintains its original orientation despite the redevelopment of Mayoral Drive. It is one of a number of neo-classical buildings in the Civic Centre which give character to the area.

New Zealand Building Progress

New Zealand Building Progress

Vennell, 1973

C. W. Vennell, A Century of Trust, a history of the New Zealand Public Trust Office, 1873-1973, Auckland, 1973