A group of concerned Devonport citizens formed Devonport Heritage five years ago to lobby for the preservation of the unique historic value of Devonport precincts. The aim is to encourage the preservation and enhancement of the built heritage, its scale and its setting in the natural environment.

Submissions are made to the North Shore City Council Annual Plan and conservation management strategies. The Devonport Ward Planner submits to our sub-committee applications for dispensation for building consents and alterations to historic listed buildings for comment and recommendations. Public awareness is encouraged by meetings with invited speakers e.g.Historic Places Trust Officer, North Shore Public Library archivist demonstrating how the history of a house can be traced through rates records and display of panoramic views of Devonport showing changes over the past century.

We have recently received a small grant from Rotary to develop a package for homeowners with advice on renovations in keeping with the historic architectural aspects of their house. A grant from the Devonport Community Board is to be used to preserve and display objects from the Devonport Borough Council in the local library.

1. To acknowledge that the suburb of Devonport has a recognisable heritage value deriving from its pre-European history, its early days of European settlement and its continuity as a residential, seaside suburb for more than a century. From the harbour, Devonport still looks much the same at the end of the century as it did at the beginning.

2. To acknowledge that Devonport's character and charm are valued and cherished by a large number of residents and others who wish to see future development recognising and building on that heritage rather than destroying and replacing it.

3. To identify, recognise and seek to save features of Devonport which give it a heritage character, such as buildings, parks, beaches, streetscapes, significant groups of buildings and other items, including those which pre-date European settlement.

4. To foster awareness and promote appreciation of heritage features by lectures, discussion meetings, written material, historical studies and any other suitable means.

5. To take appropriate steps to see that Devonport's heritage is maintained and enhanced in a way that allows harmonious development and adds to the social, cultural and recreational enjoyment of Devonport by residents and visitors.

6. To work with the North Shore City Council and Devonport Community Board in matters concerning heritage, particularly in meeting the requirements of the Resource Management Act, and to encourage local and national government to provide incentives and assistance to property owners, business proprietors and others to retain, maintain and enhance their properties in a way that contributes to the heritage environment.

7. To assist tourism operators and other service providers and business people to function in ways that genuinely enhance the heritage nature of the suburb and do not detract from it.

8. To associate with other groups with similar or complementary objectives.

9. To raise sufficient funds to enable the above objectives to be carried out.