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 2025
The Heritage Fund has four funding rounds per year. The upcoming closing dates are:
- 31 January 2026
- 30 April 2026
- 31 July 2026
You can also make an application for emergency works at any time.
Grants from our most recent funding round
127 - 131 Stafford Street, Dunedin Central
A $15,000 grant was made towards the exterior repainting of these ornate Victorian terrace row houses.
Designed by architectural partnership Hislop and Terry in 1881, Portsea Terraces is a formal and ornate example of a nineteenth-century terrace. Hislop designed many well-known Dunedin buildings, the terrace being an early example of his work.
272 George Street, Dunedin Central
A $30,000 grant was made towards the structural strengthening of this pre-1911 commercial building.
The narrow two-storey building bordering Albion Lane was previously home to Meldrum’s Tailors and was refaced in Art Deco style in 1937 for merchant tailors J Hendry and Sons. James Hendry established his tailoring business in the late nineteenth century. He died in 1934, and the company was taken over by his son, Gordon.
310 High Street, Dunedin Central
A $4,000 grant was made towards the fire compliance upgrade to this early twentieth-century townhouse.
According to building records, this fine two-storey plastered villa-style townhouse was built in 1915 for Jessie Stewart. It features a single two-storey bay and an oriel bay window on the upper level above the front entrance.
865 George Street, Dunedin Central
A $5,000 grant was provided to support the retrofitting of double-glazing to this Victorian villa.
Records suggest this double-bay weatherboard villa was built around 1876/7, likely for company director Walter Hislop. Alterations to the front of the dwelling in 1929 saw bungalow-style casement windows replace the traditional bay windows.
Larnach Castle vinery, Pukehiki
A $20,000 grant was made towards the repair and restoration of this Victorian vinery.
The Larnach Castle vinery is thought to have been built c. 1887. Vineries were a common building type associated with Victorian and Edwardian estates; however, few survive. Some, like Larnach’s, included a shade house (facing south) and a hot house (facing north). Such structures were an expression of wealth and status
Roslyn Presbyterian Church, Belleknowes
A $6,000 grant was made towards the roof repairs of this Edwardian Church.
The Roslyn Presbyterian Church was opened in 1904, designed by prominent Dunedin architect JL Salmond. The church is a fine example of a medium-scale Gothic Revival church, constructed in brick with a slate roof. The use of Oamaru stone and brick adds to the decorative quality of the exterior, while the interior is ornate. Small modifications have been made since, including the addition of a robing room in 1926, remodelling, and the installation of a kitchen and Sunday School Room in 1966. Roslyn Church sits on a ridge above Dunedin and is a landmark visible from many parts of the city.
Scott and Wilson building (former), Dunedin Central
A $30,000 grant was made towards the cost of structural steel for seismic strengthening.
The Scott & Wilson Building is a two-storey commercial building notable for its period architectural detailing and large multi-paned windows. The building was constructed in 1924 for blind manufacturers and retailers Scott & Wilson and was designed by architects Coombes & White.
Selwyn College main building, Dunedin Central
A $20,000 grant was made towards masonry and leadlight 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 Otago University’s first residential college. Architect JA Burnside designed the first stage of the building in Tudor Gothic style. The first stage was incorporated into major additions in 1929-1930, likely designed by H McDowell Smith. The college was further extended several times in the later twentieth century.
Woodhaugh Hotel (former), Woodhaugh
A $5,000 grant was provided to support the retrofitting of double-glazing in the former Woodhaugh Hotel.
Prominently situated in the centre of Woodhaugh Valley, the 17-room Woodhaugh Hotel was built in 1881-1882 for John R James in the face of opposition from the township’s teetotallers. Architect TB Cameron designed the hotel. Its first licensee was Edward Holmes, who transferred the license to James in 1886, as the business was failing. James went bankrupt in 1888, and the property was offered for sale. Its licence was short-lived, being refused in 1892. Architecturally, it is a comparatively restrained example of a Victorian hotel in an Italianate style.
Phoenix House, Dunedin Central
A $50,000 grant was made towards installing lead flashings at the former Equitable Insurance Association Building, now more commonly known as Phoenix House.
The first lessee of the land was the Equitable Insurance Association of New Zealand (established 1884). Prominent architect FW Petre designed this building in Italian Palazzo style in 1885. The lease was transferred in 1894 to the Providential and Industrial Insurance Company of New Zealand (established 1889), which was taken over by the Provident Life Assurance Company (established 1904). At some point, the company named the building Phoenix House after it became part of the Phoenix Group of insurance companies. Their head office was in this building, with branches throughout New Zealand and in Sydney and Brisbane. In 1969, they moved to new premises in Stuart Street.
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.
| 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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.