Popular hill-top landmark re-opens

Like a cup of coffee with your stunning view? After being closed for six years the historic Sign of the Kiwi building perched at the summit of the Port Hills has re-opened and is again serving refreshments to walkers, runners, bikers and sight-seers.

Sign of the Kiwi tearoom manager Janice Thornton (left) celebrates the re-opening of the historic building alongside Mayor Lianne Dalziel and Jill Simmonds, the granddaughter of the original builder, Charles Calvert.

The landmark building, which dates back to 1916 and carries a Category 1 classification from Heritage New Zealand, was badly damaged in the February 22, 2011 earthquake but has been repaired, restored and strengthened to 67 per cent of the New Building Standard.

The work was done at a cost of $920,000 and included a brick-by-brick deconstruction and rebuild of two fireplace walls, the eastern gable wall and three interior columns.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Monday morning to mark the official re-opening of the building, with Mayor Lianne Dalziel joined by the new tenant taking over the Sign of the Kiwi’s famous café.

Also on hand to witness the occasion was Professor Paula Jameson, whose great-grandfather, Harry Ell, provided the original vision for the building more than 100 years ago.

“Harry Ell and Samuel Hearst Seager, the original architect, shared a vision – the intersection of art and nature – and for them the creation of the Sign of the Kiwi was a dream job,” Mayor Dalziel said. “It remains a perfect example of this kind of New Zealand architecture – simple and truthful.

“Many who grew up in Christchurch will have their own memories of the Sign of the Kiwi, and Port Hills cyclists and walkers in need of some refreshments this summer will be particularly pleased to note that the café has been reinstated. A hundred years since it was first built, it’s wonderful to welcome the Sign of the Kiwi back,'' Ms Dalziel said.