Ashburton’s time capsule plan paused

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

A time capsule is biding its time before being entombed in the new Te Whare Whakatere building in Ashburton.

The Ashburton District Council finalised details of the time capsule's contents and when it would open in May last year. Items detailing life in the Ashburton District in 2023 were collected ahead of the building opening.

The building eventually opened to the public in January, but it is yet to have an official opening, meaning the time capsule remains incomplete.

People and facilities group manager Sarah Mosley said the delay will not impact the capsule's contents.

“Although the time capsule is yet to be placed within Te Whare Whakatere, the contents and 2078 opening date remain as agreed by council.

“While some content is 2023-24 based, the information and photographs included are still relevant and representative of our town and district.”

There are a few final items still to be added, Mosley said.

“We have recently received paper-based archives from Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua which include a photo of the marae.

“Media publications regarding Te Whare Whakatere’s official opening date will also be added following the event.”

Once the official opening is held, coverage of the opening will be the final addition to the capsule before it is sealed in place.

It will sit behind a section of tinted glass at a low height along the Havelock St entrance ramp, Mosely said.

The capsule contents, such as test tube samples of seeds grown in the district, are being stored at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum, Mosley said.

Museum archivist Connor Lysaght has previously described the capsule as “almost like a Russian nesting doll”, with a stainless steel inner box and wooden outer box that will be placed in the wall cavity.

Councillors set the opening date for 2078, to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the Ashburton County Council, which is two years after the 200th anniversary of the Ashburton Borough Council.

Time capsule items include:
- All resolutions of the council regarding the design and construction of the building
- Photographs from the official opening
- Floor and elevation plans of the building
- Large district map containing all road names
- Aerial photographs of townships
- Photographs with captions of significant facilities and places, district landmarks and significant events, reserves, flora and fauna, lakes and other natural landmarks
- Environmental reports
- Infographic report profiling the district’s population
- List of clubs, organisations, churches, health and other facilities and services
- Yearbooks from Ashburton College, Mount Hutt College
- Arowhenua rūnanga archives
- The Hakatere Home and Heritage book which shows the growing ethnic diversity of Ashburton society
- Examples of district-manufactured goods
- A test tube sample of seeds grown within the district, and quantity facts
- An edition of the Ashburton Guardian and community newsletters
- Comments collated from the community about the best thing about living in the Ashburton District