The historic Westney Methodist church, removed from George Bolt drive near the airport, has been relocated to nearby Nixon Road.
This quaint "timber Gothic" building was constructed in 1856 on the corner of George Bolt Memorial Drive and Ihumatao Road. It was enlarged in 1887 and a vestry added in 1918. The original site is now just beyond the end of the proposed second runway and accordingly the building has been moved to what appears a temporary location on the back of an Airport owned farm on Nixon Road.
Photos have been taken from Nixon Road (left) and Ansett Place (right). It is scheduled for protection by Manukau City and is joined at present in its loneliness by an old farm cottage, the Westney homestead, built about 1855.
The present sitings are temporary. A news report mentions a future "heritage precinct". Where is that to be located? Is there any provision for security, pending ultimate development?
References: Airport Times #64 June 07 Welcome2Manukau.com Mangere Puhinui zone review: archaeological appraisal, Louise Furey November 2005
