An update on Penman House

Time running out to save Robin Hyde’s sanctuary.

Paula Morris / Academy of New Zealand Literature / 4 November 2025

The Open Letter (now with over 200 signatures) – sent on 22 October to Hon Chris Bishop and the chief executives of Heritage NZ and Auckland City Council – has received no official ministerial response. A number of media outlets are now reporting on the story, including The Big Idea and The Post.

We learned today that the demolition of Penman House is said to be confirmed. This information was sent to a Stuff journalist by someone we choose not to name, because the statement was marked not for publication or attribution.

Asbestos removal continues at the property this week. After that, without ministerial intervention, it seems likely that demolition will begin.

Since the publication of the Open Letter, a number of people in the creative sector have offered funds toward moving Penman House to a new location, and in re-purposing it. Possible plans include a home for a new museum of New Zealand literature and a base for a Māori writing school.

We note that contrary to information published in a Reading Room newsletter, the planned housing development on this piece of land is not the work of Ockham Residential, the sponsors of New Zealand’s annual book awards. Ockham Residential is redeveloping land in partnership with Marutūāhu, between Gates 1 and 3 of the Carrington site only.

The Penman House remains held by the Crown and will be transferred to the Waiohua-Tāmaki Rōpū at an unspecified date.

We maintain that tikanga has not been observed has not been observed in the decision to demolish Penman House. It is a place of great historical and literary significance to our cultural community, and we have not been included in conversations about its fate. We are devastated about its impending destruction.

Photo credit: Haru Sameshima.