Lower Hutt Town Hall and Horticultural Hall

The Town Hall and adjacent Horticultural Hall were built in the 1950s as part of the new Lower Hutt Civic Centre. This centre was developed within Riddiford Park and comprised a fine group of Modernist buildings alongside St James Church built a little earlier. These are a unique set of buildings in New Zealand set within their own gardens and have been recognised by listing as an Historic Area by Heritage New Zealand as part of Lower Hutt Civic Centre Historic Area. The Hutt City Council decided to demolish the Town Hall and Horticultural Hall and replace them with a new building.

HPW opposed this along with other groups and individuals. The result was a compromise in which the Council agreed to retain and strengthen the Town Hall but to demolish the Horticultural Hall.