NoeFlandre/osm-polygon-wikidata-only huggingface dataset:
The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand or Open Polytechnic (Māori: Kuratini Tuwhera) is a government-owned tertiary education institution operating as the specialist national provider of open and distance learning (ODL). Located in Lower Hutt near New Zealand's capital city Wellington, Open Polytechnic provides tertiary education at a national level for 30,000 students each year. History The Open Polytechnic began life in Wellington as the Technical Correspondence School in 1946, providing resettlement training for returned servicemen and women following World War II. In 1963 it became the Technical Correspondence Institute offering mainly theory training in trades subjects. The institution underwent a major transformation in 1990 when it was renamed The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, going on to become a multi-faceted provider of ODL courses and services. On 1 April 2020, The Open Polytechnic became a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga (the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) alongside the 15 other institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs). In July 2025, the Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds announced that The Open Polytechnic would leave Te Pūkenga and join a new federation of polytechnics consisting of Otago Polytechnic and the Universal College of Learning. On 1 January 2026, the Open Polytechnic formally left Te Pukenga and became an independent entity again. In mid-February 2026, the Government allocated over NZ$27 million to the Open Polytechnic to support its transition. In late March 2026, Simmonds confirmed that Tai Poutini Polytechnic in Greymouth would be merged into the Open Polytechnic from 1 January 2027. Student Advisory Group The Open Polytechnic student advisory group offers insights from learners regarding products and services. It serves as a consultation panel during the development of new initiatives that impact students. Membership in the advisory group can include up to 12 learners. These individuals engage via online platform with occasional in-person meetings with relevant senior managers from Open Polytechnic and the Open Polytechnic Council. Members serve an initial two-year term and may be reappointed for up to three terms. Selection criteria include: Demonstrated interest in distance education Current enrolment with a minimum of 24 weeks of study completed at the time of appointment Qualities and skills showcased in the nomination form that indicate their potential contributions to the Open Polytechnic Student Advisory Group. References External links Official website Facebook page YouTube channel Twitter page
The Palms Shopping Centre

The Palms Shopping Centre is a shopping mall located in the suburb of Shirley, Christchurch, situated 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the city's CBD. The anchor by Woolworths, Farmers, Reading Cinema, and Chemist Warehouse. Kmart closed its doors at said mall after 23 years. Description The mall consists of 82 retailers, including Countdown, Farmers and the first Reading Cinemas multiplex in Christchurch. In 2003, a $50 million NZD upgrade was completed, nearly doubling the size to 35,343 m2 (380,429 ft2) . The entry plaza of the mall won an NZILA Silver award for landscape design in 2004. Australian based AMP Capital had owned The Palms since 2007, when it bought the mall from Christchurch businessmen and Hallenstein Glassons directors Tim Glasson and Warren Bell. The mall was originally developed in the 1990s by Christchurch brothers Max and Glen Percasky, who own the Homebase shopping centre north of The Palms. DiMauro Group, an Australian investor purchased The Palms for $88.8 million in 2022. References
The Plaza Shopping Centre

The Plaza Shopping Centre is a shopping mall in the central area of Palmerston North, New Zealand, owned by Kiwi Property. It is the largest shopping mall in the Manawatū–Whanganui region. History The mall was officially opened by Prime Minister David Lange on 11 April 1986 as the PDC Plaza. The Premier Drapery Company (PDC) was a major department store in Palmerston North, owned by the Manawatu Co-Operative Society. The mall was developed around the PDC department store in response to the trend away from department stores towards shopping malls. Declining turnover coupled with the 1987 stock market crash saw PDC and the Co-Operative Society go into receivership in 1988, and the mall and department store were sold off. The PDC department store was closed and demolished in 1990 to make way for an extension of the mall. Originally 19,700 m2 (212,000 sq ft), the mall underwent redevelopment from 2008 to 2010 refurbishing the existing space and expanding to 32,000 m2 (340,000 sq ft). Redevelopment was done in three stages. The first stage opened on 3 March 2009 with a new food court, a multi-level carpark and 15 new specialty stores. The second stage opened on 3 September 2009 with an additional 10 specialty stores. The third stage opened in March 2010 with the addition of 32 specialty stores, a two-storey 7,200 m2 (78,000 sq ft) Farmers department store and another multi-level carpark. References External links Official site
Thomas King Observatory

The Thomas King Observatory stands at the top of the Botanic Garden in Wellington, New Zealand, as part of the Carter Observatory. In the past it has housed research, preservation of heritage, education and promotion of astronomy to the public. Facilities In May 2001 refurbishment began of the 5-inch Grubb telescope housed in the Thomas King Observatory. This telescope was made in 1882 by Grubb in Dublin and over its 120 years it is in remarkably good condition. The Thomas King Observatory, was used until recently for public viewing of the sun during the day. The hydrogen-alpha filter used to view the sun through the Thomas King refractor has now moved to one of the telescopes mounted to the side of the Thomas Cooke refractor, in the main observatory building. History In the 1910s, members of the Wellington Philosophical Society formed an Astronomical Section to promote the study of astronomy and to erect an observatory for star-gazing. At this time, the local observatory—the Hector Observatory—was primarily used by the government for time-keeping and weather observations. On 1 July 2021 (effective from 21 July 2021), Heritage New Zealand added the Thomas King Observatory to the heritage list as a Category II historic place. See also Thomas King (astronomer) Thomas Cooke Carter Observatory Gifford Observatory, also located in Wellington. The Ruth Crisp telescope an article on the Boller and Chivens telescope at the Carter Observatory. Dominion Observatory References External links Media related to Thomas King Observatory at Wikimedia Commons Carter Observatory's main website
Thorndon School

Thorndon School is a New Zealand primary and intermediate school located in the suburb of Thorndon, Wellington, New Zealand. It was first established on 5 April 1852 as St Paul's School in Sydney Street. After initial success, the school's reputation declined until William Mowbray took over as headmaster in 1859. He broadened the curriculum to an extent that his methods were copied by other Wellington schools. In 1873, the school was taken over by the education board of the Wellington Province, and Mowbray was kept on as headmaster. Around that time, the name was changed to Thorndon School, and it moved to a new site in 1880. Mowbray retired in 1902 after 43 as headmaster. The school burned down in 1900 and the fire destroyed the school library's 1000 books. Since then the school and the district have been through many changes. In the early part of last century Thorndon was the largest school in the city, and housed the Teachers Training College for a while. By the early 1990s the roll was down to under 100 but over the past 10 or 12 years the school has grown, in percentage terms, more than almost any other school in the Wellington area and the roll is now over 300. During the year 2000 two new classrooms were built as well as a new administration area. In the year 2002 the Board of Trustees introduced an enrolment scheme to manage the roll. During 2003 the school library was extended and refurbished and in 2004/2005 another new classroom was added while a number of older rooms were refurbished. At the beginning of 2012 the Kimi Ora site was incorporated into Thorndon School and given the name: Ata Kimi Ora. In term 2 of 2012 the 'Noddy House', block D, was modified to become a classroom. In spite of its small foot print the school enjoys good facilities, with two grassed playing fields and a sealed netball/basketball court. During the summer the children swim at Thorndon Pool. In 1992 the Board of Trustees had an Adventure Playground built with locally raised funds and this has further enhanced the facilities. This was re-developed in 2006 and further work was undertaken in 2007. In 1999 a hall was donated to the school and moved onto its field. While this reduced the grassed area, the benefits of having a hall outweighed the negatives. In 2005 a kitchen and toilets were added. The hall was reroofed in 2010 with assistance from The Wellington City Council Heritage Fund. This hall, the Old St Paul's Schoolroom, has some historic links with the school, having been moved here from the original school site in Kate Sheppard Place. It is also, reputedly, the setting for the Katherine Mansfield short story, “Her First Ball”. The school buildings and playground were rebuilt/modernised in 2020/2021. As of 2025 the principal is Etuale Togia. Notable alumni include judge Michael Myers. References External links http://www.thorndon.school.nz/ – Thorndon school website
Clark House (Hobsonville)

Clark House ist ein italienisches Haus aus dem frühen 20. Jahrhundert in Hobsonville, Auckland, Neuseeland, das von Heritage New Zealand als Gebäude der Kategorie I aufgeführt ist. Der Bau des Hauses begann in den späten 1890er Jahren als Familienwohnsitz von Rice Owen Clark II, dem wohlhabenden Besitzer einer nahe gelegenen Töpferei. Beschreibung Clark House ist eine zweistöckige Villa mit Blick auf die Limeburners Bay und den Waitematā Harbour. Der Innenraum enthält eine geschwungene Treppe, Buntglasfenster, Dado-Tafeln im Jugendstil, Elemente aus Kauri-Holz und dekorative Fliesen. Laut Heritage New Zealand war Clark House das erste Wohnhaus in Neuseeland, in dem hohle Keramikblöcke verwendet wurden, bevor hohle Betonblöcke verwendet wurden. Geschichte Hintergrund William Hobson hatte das Hobsonville-Gebiet 1840 als geeignet für die Hauptstadt Neuseelands in Betracht gezogen und dann abgelehnt. Der erste Europäer, der das Gebiet besiedelte, war Rice Owen Clark, der dort 1854 139 Acres Land kaufte. Er begann mit der Herstellung von Abflussrohren aus dem dort gefundenen Ton. Bis 1877 hatte er weiteres Land erworben, von dem ein Teil später zur Residenz Clark House werden sollte. Clark stellte die Rohre zunächst zur Entwässerung seines eigenen Grundstücks her, dann auch, um Anfragen anderer Siedler in Hobsonville zu erfüllen. Bis 1862 hatte er seinen Betrieb ausgeweitet und 1864 wurde seine Töpferei offiziell gegründet. Im Jahr 1876 trat Rice Owen Clark II im Alter von 21 Jahren in das Unternehmen seines Vaters ein. Bis 1879 hatten Clark und andere lokale Töpfereien lokale Schlagzeilen gemacht, und die Gegend von Limeburners Bay wurde eng mit der Töpferindustrie in Verbindung gebracht. Obwohl die Große Depression viele nahegelegene Töpferbetriebe zur Schließung zwang, produzierte Clark's Pottery, im Besitz von Rice Owen Clark II, weiterhin Keramik und prahlte damit, die größte Töpferfabrik Neuseelands zu sein. Konstruktion Nach Clarks Tod im Jahr 1896 wurde Clark II alleiniger Eigentümer des Unternehmens. Er beschloss, ein Haus aus länglichen Keramikblöcken zu bauen – in der Hoffnung, dass dies zu einem neuen Bautrend werden würde – und nannte das Haus „Ngaroma“. Der Bau begann um 1897, und 1902 war das Haus fertiggestellt. Die hohlen Keramikblöcke setzten sich nicht durch, da kurz darauf Schlackenblöcke nach Neuseeland kamen. Nur wenige Häuser, vor allem in Hobsonville, verwendeten das Material. Royal New Zealand Air Force 1950 kaufte die Krone Clark House im Auftrag der Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) für 8000 Pfund. Die RNZAF nutzte das Clark House für Treffen im Kalten Krieg und war 1955 Gastgeber der Konferenz der Südostasiatischen Vertragsorganisation auf dem Anwesen. Ab 1967, nachdem eine Dekompressionskammer installiert worden war, wurde dort die Abteilung für Flugmedizin untergebracht. Die Immobilie wurde bis 2016 von der Air Force genutzt. Im Jahr 2022 brachte die RNZAF die Immobilie auf den Markt. Weblinks Einzelnachweise
Bank of New Zealand Building (Oamaru)

Das Bank of New Zealand Building in Oamaru, in der Region Otago auf der Südinsel von Neuseeland ist ein Baudenkmal der Kategorie 2 (Historic Place Category II) des New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Geographie Die ehemalige Filiale der Bank of New Zealand befindet sich in Oamaru an der Ecke 8 Itchen Street und 1 Thames Street und zählt zum Harbour/Tyne Street Historic Area der Stadt. Geschichte Das Gebäude wurde im Auftrag der damaligen Colonial Bank of New Zealand errichtet und im Januar 1878 seiner Bestimmung übergeben. Im Jahr 1895 erwarb dann die Bank of New Zealand die Colonial Bank und nutzte das Gebäude unter dem neuen Banknamen bis in das Jahr 1969 hinein. Anschließend zog die Oamaru Operative Society in das Gebäude ein und ab 2005 war anschließend dort das I-Site-Informationszentrum von Oamaru dort zu finden. Am 2. Juli 1982 wurde das Bauwerk vom New Zealand Historic Places Trust unter der Nummer 2279 als schützenswertes Baudenkmal registriert. Weblinks ISite - Thames Street. In: baladodecouverte.com. Abgerufen am 15. September 2025 (englisch). Einzelnachweise
Allendale (house)

Allendale is a 19th-century Italianate home in Grey Lynn, Auckland. Built as a home for a saddler in 1893, it has been used for a multitude of purposes. It is now a Heritage New Zealand category 1 historic place. History Built in 1893, the building was originally constructed for George Allen, a saddler. It has been used as a doctor's surgery, a hostel for Māori women, a refuge for alcoholic men and Orsini's restaurant, and the Auckland Savings Bank Community Trust. For a time, it was also home for James Williamson, founder of New Zealand Insurance Co. Foundation North, formerly the Auckland Savings Bank Community Trust engaged Salmond Reed Architects for a major restoration and refurbishment of Allendale, including the building of an annexe. This project received three awards: 2015 New Zealand Institute of Architects: Auckland Architecture Award - Commercial Category 2013 New Zealand Institutes of Architects: Auckland Architecture Awards - Heritage Category. 2013 Resene: Total Colour Awards - Colour Maestro Heritage Category. Description It is a two-storey Italianate bay villa. The bay windows have double hung sash windows with pilasters with Corinthian capitals. It has wide verandahs on both floors with decorative valences and balustrades, and an octagonal belvedere on top of the house. The roof has slate tiles, and the verandahs have corrugated iron covers. There have been multiple modifications to the building, especially in the interior since its construction in 1893. This notably includes an annexe, that was added to the building in 2013. References
Fletcher House (Otago Peninsula)

Fletcher House is a historic house at Broad Bay on Otago Peninsula, part of the New Zealand city of Dunedin. The house was one of the first to be built by Sir James Fletcher, the founder of one of New Zealand's biggest companies, Fletcher Construction. The house is located at 727 Portobello Road, Broad Bay, on a promontory overlooking nearby Turnbulls Bay. The property is managed by the Otago Peninsula Trust, with the help of financial support from the Fletcher Trust. It is the only fully restored and furnished Edwardian house of its type in New Zealand. A typical Edwardian house, it was built in 1909 for local postmaster Hubert Green and his new wife Agnes. As Broad Bay was a popular holiday spot for wealthier Dunedinites, Fletcher's reputation quickly spread, and his company grew as a result. In December 1990 Fletcher Challenge bought and restored the villa to its former glory with help from Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. The house is now open to the public, and is listed as a Category II historic place by Heritage New Zealand. It is one of several historic homes open to the public in the vicinity, among them Larnach Castle and Glenfalloch. Timeline 1909: James Fletcher and business partner Albert Morris build the house 1910–31: The house is owned by Hubert and Agnes Green 1931–38: The house is owned by three sisters named Miller 1938–81: The house is owned by a couple named Patterson. They reside here for over 40 years, and make several alterations to the property, including lowering the ceiling of the dining room and replacing the front steps with a ramp suitable for a wheelchair. 1981–90: Mr and Mrs Dickson owned the property. They extend it at the rear, creating a new kitchen, bathroom, and laundry. 1990–92: Fletcher Challenge purchases the house and restore it and the garden, with the help of teams from Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and Dunedin Botanic Garden. The house is opened to the public in October 1992 by Sir James Fletcher, the son of the builder. References
Hulme Court

Hulme Court is a category 1 historic place in Auckland, New Zealand. It is thought to be the oldest surviving house in Auckland and the oldest dwelling still standing on its original site. History In 1843, Hulme Court was built for Sir Frederick Whitaker, later the Premier of New Zealand. It is not known who the architect of Hulme Court was, however, suggestions have been made that it could have been an engineer that Whitaker was working with. It was later occupied by William Hulme, Commander of British Troops in New Zealand, after whom the house is now named. He bought the home for £610 in 1846. It was then sold following his death in 1855 to Thomas Russell and William Aicken who subdivided the land that the house was a part of. During the 1850s, it acted as a temporary Government House for Governor Thomas Gove Browne. It was also rented for a time by Bishop George Selwyn. His wife, Sarah, described the library as "the most pleasantest room in New Zealand." Sir Francis Dillon Bell bought three of the plots of land in 1863, including Hulme Court, and lived there until 1872. In 1872, Bell sold the property to the family of Frederick Ireland, who lived there into the early 1900s. In the early 1910s, it was home to Dr. Alexander Kinder, who also had his surgery based out of Hulme Court. Later on in the 1910s, it was home to W. P. Goodhue, the chief teller of the Bank of New Zealand, who died at Hulme Court in 1919. In the 1920s and 1930s, it was the residence of Walter Joseph Macklow, one of the Macklow Brothers, timber merchants at Mechanics Bay. In 1941, it was bought by the Clark family, immigrants from Glasgow. From 1951 until its sale in 2011, it was owned by the Maguire family. During the 1950s and 1960s, it underwent several modifications and, at one point, acted as a panel-beating and paint shop. In January 2012, a restoration project of Hulme Court was begun, and was completed in April 2013. The restoration work, designed by Matthews & Matthews Architects, included structural upgrading, replacement and repairs of the roof and external claddings. Description It is a single-storey Regency style plastered bluestone house. The bluestone walls are 300mm thick that were originally plastered with lime. It has a hipped slate roof, and shuttered sash windows. On three of the four sides, there are trellised verandahs. There is a cellar beneath the house and an attic space. There are stables and servants quarters at the side of the house, built from kauri timber. The additions in the 1950s and 1960s were made in timber rather than stone. Archaeological investigations were conducted as part of the 2012 restorations showed previous existence of a well, and outbuilding for carriages and stables. Other finishes such as the original kauri roof singles, decorative linoleum mats, wallpaper, tongue and groove linings were also uncovered as part of these investigations. References External links John Fields. (1971) Hulme Court. John McCaw. (1970) Hulme Court. Images of Hulme Court from Goodwins Archived
College House (University of Canterbury)

College House is a hall of residence at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Founded originally in 1850 as a collegiate for young men alongside Christ's College, it became a residential college for the then Canterbury College of the new University of New Zealand in 1873. It broke away from Christ's College in 1957 and relocated to the suburb of Ilam. In 1985, the college permitted the admission of women alongside men. The current college was designed by Warren and Mahoney. The architect's brief was simply to design a college for 120 men. Structural engineering was carried out by Lyall Holmes of Holmes Consulting. Built 1964–1967, restorations and renovations were performed by Wilkie and Bruce in 2022. References
Timaru Girls' High School

Timaru Girls' High School is a secondary school in Timaru, New Zealand, founded in 1880. Timaru Girls' High provides education for girls aged between 13–18 years of age (class levels – years 9 to 13). It also has a boarding facility within the school grounds for pupils not living in Timaru itself and also caters for international students. The school motto is Scientia Potestas Est – Knowledge is Power. The school is a stone's throw away from the Catholic Roncalli College. Enrolment As of March 2026, Timaru Girls' High School has roll of 501 students, of which 79 (15.8%) identify as Māori. As of 2026, the school has an Equity Index of 474, placing it amongst schools whose students have above average socioeconomic barriers to achievement (roughly equivalent to deciles 5 and 6 under the former socio-economic decile system). Houses The school has 4 colour houses named after New Zealand native flowers and each student is put into one of them to encourage team spirit.The colours are: Yellow = Kowhai Blue = Konini Green = Ngaio Red = Rata There are several House events per year, Swimming Sports, Athletics, Cross Country, Aitkens and Waters Cup Day and House Choirs Notable alumnae Maria Fahey – cricketer Jo Goodhew – MP Elizabeth Gunn – paediatrician Jean Hay – early childhood educator Eva Hill – doctor Controversy In September 2011, a school girl wanted to support the country's Blue Friday, a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer. She was banned from supporting it because students were only allowed to support female causes, even though the girl's own grandfather had died from this cancer. This raised issues in the newspapers References External links Timaru Girl's High School Website