HAERE MAI & WELCOME!

We are a group of dedicated volunteers advocating for and preserving the unique history and heritage features of Greytown in South Wairarapa, the first planned inland town in New Zealand. We are passionate about its buildings, trees and streetscapes.

Formerly the Greytown Community Heritage Trust (est. 1993), the  Greytown Heritage Trust has continued to play a key role in maintaining and celebrating Greytown's heritage features. It works to uphold the council's heritage bylaws and undertakes ambitious projects such as its popular Heritage Walking Route and Cycle Routes. Meet our Trustees and
read more about our work here.

GINA JONES, FNZIA, FNZIOB

I am a Registered Architect, with heritage qualifications from the University of Canberra. From a governance perspective, I provide experience that is singularly construction focused. My background includes: National President of the New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB), the inaugural National President of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Chair of the NZIOB Charitable Trust, and current Chair of the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB).

My industry accolades include the prestigious NZIOB Medal (2009). I founded Accent Architects and ran the practice for 22 years, with my earlier career spent at Ampersand Architects (Director) via TWIA Architects (Graduate/Associate).

CARMEL FERGUSON

I was first involved with The Greytown Heritage Trust from 2012 to 2019 serving as chairperson for two years and now, after a couple of year's break, am delighted to be involved again.

In 2014 we purchased 12 Main Street a heritage property, Wyett House. We feel privileged to be living in such a wonderful heritage property with amazing history in the middle of Greytown.

I started my career in Personnel, and later, after some, study I formed a company specialising in design and manufacture of bespoke furniture for Interior Designers
and Architects.

I have an intense interest in the value of history in today’s world, whilst being fully sympathetic to the needs of modern living. I am passionate about maintaining
and celebrating Greytown
heritage features.

CRAIG THORBURN

It was the trees and architectural heritage of Greytown that drew me here from Auckland.  Greytown is like a time capsule. My background is in concept design, both interiors and landscape. I see my role on the Greytown Heritage Trust board as promoting and protecting Greytown’s superb heritage, in a spirit of partnership
with our community.

LORRAINE HALL

My connection to Wairarapa goes back to 1876 when my adventurous Swedish descendants first arrived in the region. My business and home are located on Greytown's Main Street in a building that was once our original bakery - Duff's Bakery. Through sensitive extensions in 2016 and using my lifelong passion and skills in design the building preserves and celebrates its past whilst enriching the future of our Heritage Precinct. Being part of the Heritage Trust gives me another opportunity to positively contribute to the community that has warmly welcomed me here. I am privileged & honoured to continue as a trustee.

SYLVIA SMITH

It was such a delight to be asked to take over the role of Treasurer of the Greytown Heritage Trust. I have always admired the work that the Trust does on behalf of the Greytown community to enrich, protect and enhance the history of our beautiful town.

My background is in business - as owner, board member and client liaison director of a Graphic Design agency for 16 years, until it was sold to an Auckland agency in 2010. Since then I have been on the board of the combined company until March 2022 when I resigned to pursue other ventures.

Over the past twelve years I’ve worked as a book-keeper for a number of clients, most of which I’ve been working with for several years.

I am also Treasurer of the South Wairarapa Rotary Club and Martinborough Fair Trust.

ROBYN BLUE

I have worked in health all of my life (qualifications in nursing, social sciences, public health and management), and relocated to Greytown several years where I expect this to be my last place of residence. I recently changed career paths and now work locally. It was a strong interest in local history that motivated me to join the Trust. It is a pleasure to work with such enthusiastic Trustees and the community to strengthen the heritage aspects of the town and continue to put Greytown
on the map.

DANIELLE GENTY-NOTT

As a kid growing up amongst farmland in Queenstown, it was the sight of a combine harvester barrelling down the main street of Greytown and the juxtaposition that posed against the quaint heritage buildings that initially drew me to Greytown many years ago for weekend getaways with friends.

Fast forward and I now live in Greytown (outskirts) with my fiance, his two sons and our pup Coco and call Greytown 'home'. I spend most of my week working for the Te Papa Foundation as their Relationship Manager.

I was delighted to be invited as a Trustee to the Greytown Heritage Trust as believe Greytown's most valuable asset is the protection of our heritage buildings and trees, and not just along Main Street - but its surrounds - and a key focus of mine is to help promote the work we do and encourage others to join us in our journey to preserve and protect these valuable assets for future generations to come.

PETER ROWLANDS

Drawn to Greytown for its built and natural environments and its strong sense of connection to its own history, I am a johnnie-come-lately. I am a small-town boy returned to a small town by way of some big cities, although I grew up in a much smaller place (then) in the Far North.  For most of my life I have worked through education and writing in theatre, cultural, library and archive settings.  I also spent three decades living overseas, which was more habit than intention. Greytown provokes in me a strong sense of wanting to belong and wanting
to contribute.

As New Zealanders, we’re not always desperately good at celebrating, preserving or innovatively engaging with our environments, imagining our histories somehow less than that of places and peoples overseas. The Greytown Heritage Trust is a champion for the community as it negotiates its aesthetic and functions with integrity and sensitivity. It’s an honour to join as a Trustee and to commit to
our community.