Rotorua: Call to strengthen Prince’s Gate Archway after council confirms deconstruction
The historic Prince’s Gate Archway in Rotorua is set to be deconstructed after engineering reports deemed it a safety risk during high winds. Local residents and historians have expressed concern over the loss of the 125-year-old landmark.
Why it matters
The decision highlights the ongoing tension between public safety requirements and the preservation of local cultural heritage.
Rotorua’s Prince’s Gate Archway will be deconstructed after engineering assessments found it could pose a safety risk.
Rotorua locals hope the city’s historic Prince’s Gate Archway can be strengthened or rebuilt after the council confirmed it would be taken down for safety reasons.
Rotorua Lakes Council said on Tuesday that engineering assessments found the Prince’s Gate Archway could pose a safety risk during extreme wind events.
The council said the structure at the entrance to the Government Gardens had deteriorated to the point it was unsafe.
The Prince’s Gate Archway was built in 1901 to mark the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, who later became King George V and Queen Mary.
It is built from steel and native timbers including totara, rimu and kauri.
The archway originally stood near the Grand Hotel before being relocated to its position at the Government Gardens’ entrance.
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