Dunedin Heritage Fund

The Dunedin Heritage Fund is a contestable grant fund administered by Dunedin City Council and Heritage New Zealand. The fund supports the conservation and continued use of the City’s key heritage places.

Funding round dates

The next funding round closes: 31 October 2026

The Heritage Fund has four funding rounds per year. The upcoming closing dates are

31 January 2027
30 April 2027
31 July 2027

You can also make an application for emergency works at any time.

Grants from our most recent funding round

Former Keeper's Cottage, Quarantine Island

A $30,000 grant was made towards replacing the roof of this historic cottage.

The former keeper’s cottage is associated with the island’s history as a designated quarantine station from 1860 to 1914. Passengers from 43 ships were quarantined on the island during this time. The cottage was built in 1872 and had major additions in the 1920s. RC Miller was the main occupant during this time, and the island was used for grazing and as a base for his harbour ferries until 1931. The current St Martin Island Community bought the leasehold in 1958 to use the keeper’s cottage as accommodation.

296 High Street, Dunedin Central

An $8,000 grant was made towards roof repairs and exterior repainting of this prominent High Street building.

Preeminent Dunedin architect J.L. Salmond designed this two-storey Queen Anne-style private hospital for nurses Jeannie Sutherland and Rachael Church. The two nurses had previously run another hospital across the road. The Chalet Hospital opened in 1904. High Street was home to many doctors' surgeries and residences and was the logical place for a private hospital. The Chalet Hospital included an operating theatre, two wards, and private rooms. After long use as a hospital, the building was converted to a backpackers’ hostel in 1991.

Former McVickars Building Central Dunedin

McVickar's Building (former), Central Dunedin

A $15,000 grant was made towards the exterior repainting of this prominent commercial building.

This building was built between 1882 and 1883 for Robert Steel McVickar. McVickar was a warehouseman who specialised in crockery and glassware. The building was designed in the Renaissance Revival style and was originally three storeys high. It was likely designed by architect W.T. Winchester. The street appearance has been altered significantly from its original design, but retains the features of its 1916 redesign and many Victorian characteristics. The upper two levels were added at this time. It holds significance for its association with R.S. McVickar, Macky Logan & Caldwell, and other businesses over the years – including a long connection with the clothing and soft goods industry.

229 - 233 King Edward Street, South Dunedin

A $1,500 grant was made towards the exterior repainting of this early twentieth-century commercial building.

The present terrace of three single-storey brick shops was constructed in 1915 for boot retailer Duncan Sutherland. Each shop has an inset entrance with a low fascia and cornice above the bullnosed verandah. Above that was a plain brick parapet with undecorated pilasters. Long-term occupants included bootmakers and the St Vincent de Paul thrift store.

73 Russell Street, Central Dunedin

A $3,000 grant was made towards weatherboard repairs to this Victorian worker’s cottage.

This cottage is situated on a small lane of cottages of a similar era. These cottages are rare examples of Dunedin's early working-class housing. The laneway and the density are representative of nineteenth-century housing in Dunedin City Rise. The subject dwelling is one of a pair sharing a party wall and was likely built in the mid-to-late 1870s.

Iona Church and Johnston Hall Port Chalmers

Iona Church & Johnstone Hall, Port Chalmers

A $35,000 grant was made towards the repair of the gallery and lobby windows of this significant Victorian church.

Designed by architect Nathaniel Wales, the foundation stone for the first part of this landmark church was laid in August 1871. As Port Chalmers expanded, a larger church was soon needed to accommodate the growing congregation. In 1882, Wales designed an addition to the church that could seat 640 people. He incorporated the first church, which became Johnstone Hall, into the larger, new building. Bauchop & Borlase was contracted to complete the construction, and it opened in November 1883. The church was designed in Early English Gothic Revival style and built using breccia and Ōamaru stone. The Watkin-Creed memorial windows were installed in the Iona Church vestibule, having been taken from the Port Chalmers Methodist Church when it was demolished in 1974.

9079 Eton Road, Hyde

A $17,500 grant towards exterior repainting and the replication of the historic sign of this former hotel.

The Otago Central Hotel has its origins in the nineteenth century as one of the few licensed premises operated in the small gold-mining town of Hyde. The original building was destroyed in a fire in 1925 and rebuilt and reopened around 1927. More recently, it has been vacant for some years. New owners have taken over the building and are restoring and refurbishing it.

343 - 347 George Street, Central Dunedin

A $35,000 grant was made towards seismic strengthening, as well as joinery and verandah repairs to this Victorian building.

This masonry building was erected in 1875 and was used for shops and as an associated dwelling for draper Albert Walker. Store occupants included shawl and general merchant Sheik Budrodeen. In 1888, the Duthie Brothers opened a drapery in the building. They commissioned Mason & Wales to design alterations to the premises. In 1925, the building became the premises of bookseller and stationer Denby Terry. A suspended verandah replaced the original one in 1925. In 1949, the façade was remodelled in an Art Deco style.

Selwyn College, Dunedin

A $10,000 grant was made towards masonry repairs to this hall of residence.

Bishop Samuel Tarratt Nevill founded Selwyn College as a theological training college for the Anglican Church, and as a hall of residence for university students. It was opened in January 1893. It was the University of Otago’s first residential college. Architect J.A. Burnside designed the first stage of the building in Tudor Gothic style. Major additions and renovations were completed between 1929 and 1930. The additions were likely designed by Henry McDowell Smith. The college has been further extended several times throughout the late twentieth century.

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Applying for funding

Before applying for funding, we recommend contacting the DCC Heritage Advisor by phone on 03 477 4000 or email heritage@dcc.govt.nz to discuss your project.

Download your application form and submit before the next closing date.

Email	heritage@dcc.govt.nz
Post	PO Box 5045 Dunedin 9054
In person	Deliver to the Customer Services Counter, 50 The Octagon, Dunedin Central

Important Information:

You cannot apply for funding for work that has already been started or completed.
The GST portion of the project cost is not eligible for funding.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Am I eligible to apply?
If you own a historic place, you are likely eligible to apply.
- Refer to Section A on Page 8 of the application form.
What works can I apply for?
The Dunedin Heritage Fund can provide grants for a wide range of works that contribute to conserving, upgrading, and retaining historic places.
- Refer to Section B on Page 8 of the application form.
How are applications prioritised?
Applications are prioritised by the significance of the place and of the works. The criteria are outlined in the application form.
- Refer to Section C on Page 8 of the application form.
Can someone help me with my application?

A DCC Heritage Advisor is available to help you with planning your application and completing the application form. They can make an appointment to visit you at your property. Please contact them on 03 477 4000 or heritage@dcc.govt.nz.
Where else can I apply for funding?
Where you can get funding depends on who owns the place.
Funding for private owners
If you are a private owner (a company or individual) and your property is listed with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga or of equivalent significance, you can apply to the National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund.
The National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund provides grants to encourage the conservation of nationally significant heritage places in private ownership. The fund prioritises places of national significance which need conservation work.
For more information, visit Heritage New Zealand’s website.
Funding for incorporated societies or charitable trusts
For entities such as incorporated societies or charitable trusts, there are several places you can approach for funding:
Each funder will have their own requirements. We recommend you contact funders directly to check if your project is eligible.
If you are an organisation that offers funding for the conservation of historic places, and you would like to be listed on this page, contact us at heritage@dcc.govt.nz.

Dunedin Heritage Fund

Funding round dates

Grants from our most recent funding round

Former Keeper's Cottage, Quarantine Island

296 High Street, Dunedin Central

McVickar's Building (former), Central Dunedin

229 - 233 King Edward Street, South Dunedin

73 Russell Street, Central Dunedin

Iona Church & Johnstone Hall, Port Chalmers

9079 Eton Road, Hyde

343 - 347 George Street, Central Dunedin

Selwyn College, Dunedin

Applying for funding

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Am I eligible to apply?

What works can I apply for?

How are applications prioritised?

Can someone help me with my application?

Where else can I apply for funding?

Projects recently supported by the Dunedin Heritage Fund

Dunedin Heritage Fund grants 2026

Dunedin Heritage Fund grants 2025

Dunedin Heritage Fund grants 2024

Dunedin Heritage Fund grants 2023

Dunedin Heritage Fund grants 2022