'Stop the rot': Protesters fear Auckland's Carrington Hospital facing 'demo by neglect'
Community activists in Auckland are protesting the ongoing neglect of the historic Carrington Hospital, which has fallen into disrepair since its closure. The group is calling for immediate action to weatherproof the building and prevent further vandalism of the heritage site.
Why it matters
The situation highlights the tension between urban development plans and the preservation of historic landmarks in New Zealand.
The vast brick exterior of the former Carrington Hospital in the Auckland suburb of Mt Albert is an impressive sight - from a distance.
But up close, windows are smashed or boarded up, graffiti is strewn across the building's facade, and whole rows of roof tiles are missing.
Built in 1865, the Category 1 historic place opened as the Whau Lunatic Asylum, and was used for psychiatric and mental heathcare for more than 120 years, and then was part of tertiary institute, Unitec, until 2021.
For the past five years, it's sat empty, and deteriorating.
Tired of watching the heritage building's decline, a group has gathered in front of the building on Saturday mornings through the winter.
The building has been a target for theft and vandalism.
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