Tony Watkins

Beware of death by a thousand cuts.

133) The broadband ariel on top of the library has a high visual impact. It could easily have been on the fire station, grouped with other “high-tech” infrastructure.

134) The design of a fence is important, and it is also essential to ask if the fence is really necessary. The fence around the playground suggests that the world is somehow not a playground. The fence around the swimming pool only sends children off to drown in the harbour. The fence around the sewage ponds speaks of another culture. “Intangible heritage" is concerned with what a “local” fence is.

135) Most cultures have a relationship to the cosmos. Western civilisation has streetlights. Streetlights are not a solution, they are a problem. The Hokianga night sky is incredibly beautiful, and that beauty should never be destroyed by poor design. Street lights should be under verandahs or at low levels, and only where needed. Glare should be restricted.

136) The dominance of the rubbish tip and the sewage ponds on the road leading to the Heritage Precinct present an image of dysfunctional urban design. Design is concerned with integrity, not appearance.

137) Prohibit the amalgamation of land titles.

138) Purchase land so that a public park or village green is created at the land end of the wharf.

139) Protect the economic viability of the town by re-establishing a commercially zoned ares, with a height limit of 7 metres and a maximum of two stories.

140) Treat all road verges gently and shape them so they can be mowed, only putting in any curbing, piping or channeling when absolutely necessary to direct water to prevent damage or scouring. Build pedestrian-friendly road verges so that two people at least can walk safely side by side, with grades and surfaces that are user-friendly.

141) Design structures to retain rain water and help it infiltrate the ground to prevent increased run-off or scouring.

142) Build seawalls that are in keeping with the existing stone sea walls.

143) Design and place infrastructure thoughtfully to enhance the overall design quality of the town.

144) Ban the use of toxic sprays in the Heritage Precinct.

145) Respect existing open space and look after existing trees.

146) Alter buildings in sympathy with existing structures, land forms, neighbouring buildings, and the environs.

147) Alter the exterior of listed historic buildings only in consultation with the Historic Places Trust.

148) Maintain neighbours’ views and access to sunlight.

149) Build any new buildings in keeping with their surrounding historic buildings in scale, texture and materials. Respect the physical and historical context of each site.

Every move needs to be a good one.