Expression of Interest for a Community Lease at St Ninian’s Hall, 17–19 St Georges Street, Avondale

Public notice date: 25 November 2025

Closing date and time: 24 December 2025, 5pm

​Viewing by appointment (date TBA)

Auckland Council invites expressions of interest from local community groups for a sole tenancy of the council-owned building known as St Ninian’s Hall, located at 17–19 St Georges Street, Avondale, approximately 157 square metres.

The building is currently vacant, and expressions of interest are being sought in accordance with the Community Occupancy Guidelines to identify a future tenant for the building.

About the Building

St Ninian’s Hall is one of Avondale’s oldest and most recognisable heritage buildings, originally constructed in the late 1850s and now located within St Ninians Reserve.

The site includes a closed cemetery, and future use of the building must reflect the heritage and cultural sensitivity of its setting.

Eligibility Criteria

Groups applying must:

• Be an incorporated society or charitable trust, and meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the Community Occupancy Guidelines (2012).
• Demonstrate positive community outcomes that will result from their tenancy.
• Show a commitment to maximising and activating the building for community benefit.
• Indicate a willingness to share spaces within the building if appropriate.
• Acknowledge and respect the heritage values and sensitive location of the site.

Heritage Conditions

Applicants must also confirm, in their application and supporting letter, that they:

• Understand that the building is a scheduled historic heritage place, and any work -including minor work such as installing screws, hooks, or fixings - requires landlord approval from Auckland Council’s Community Leasing team before being carried out.
• Acknowledge that any structural changes (for example installing a heat pump or new fixtures within the building) are likely to require a resource consent at the applicant’s cost as well as, separately, landlord approval.
• Will protect and preserve key heritage features of the building, including its original doors, timber linings, and internal finishes.
• Will avoid any works within the cemetery grounds that could disturb burials or heritage elements, unless specifically authorised by Council and, where required, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.

Reserves Act Conditions

The land on which St Ninian’s Hall sits is classified as a Local Purpose Reserve under the Reserves Act 1977.

As the administering body of the reserve, Auckland Council may therefore only grant a lease to a leaseholder whose activities are consistent with the purpose of the reserve and permitted under section 61(2A)(a) of the Act, prescribed as ‘community building, playcentre, kindergarten, plunket room, or other similar purposes.’

Applicants must:

• Describe their proposed activities in the application form and supporting letter so that Council staff may assess against statutory requirements.
• Acknowledge and undertake in their supporting letter that, if a lease is granted, the premises will be used solely for the purposes specified in the lease, and that any departure from the approved activities will constitute a breach of the lease.
  

These statutory requirements apply in addition to the heritage conditions outlined above.

Rental and Maintenance Fees

Under Auckland Council’s Community Occupancy Guidelines 2012 (updated July 2023), community leases for council-owned buildings are subject to a recommended subsidised rent of $1,300 plus GST per annum.

An exclusive lease of a council-owned building also carries a recommended subsidised maintenance fee of $5,000 plus GST per annum to contribute toward building upkeep.

The application of these fees are at the discretion of the local board.

Expectations

Preference will be given to groups that are locally based, deliver measurable social, cultural, or educational benefits, and can demonstrate the capacity to maintain and occupy the building responsibly.

A recommendation will be made to the Whau Local Board by Auckland Council staff after assessing all applications and determining which community group best meets the eligibility criteria, is locally based, demonstrates positive community outcomes, and shows the financial capacity to responsibly maintain and operate the building.

Council disclaimer

Auckland Council reserves the right to:

• Seek applications from other parties in addition to those who respond to this invitation.
• Accept or reject any or all applications.
• Withdraw this invitation at any time.

Further Information

An information pack including the application form, and a copy of the Community Occupancy Guidelines (2012, updated July 2023), is available on request.

To request a pack or arrange a viewing, please contact: cfleases@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz