Mazz Scannell at a protest outside The Begonia House. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The woman behind a successful bid to save Wellington's Begonia House from demolition says she's "absolutely thrilled" after Wellington City Councillors voted to save it.
The popular 1960s greenhouse for exotic plants will now be upgraded, following Thursday's meeting that saw a reprieve for it and two other beloved community assets, the Karori events centre and Khandallah Pool.
Friends of the Wellington Botanic Gardens president Mazz Scannell said she was overjoyed.
"It's great result not only for people living in Wellington, but the people who visit Wellington and people who love Wellington. Good on the council for getting in behind it."
Mazz Scannell, at a protest earlier this year. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
"I'm absolutely thrilled. It's a big compliment to everybody who helped - and there were many. Some people pounded the pavements and got signatures to those who hosted hoardings to donating so that we could afford to pay for the hoardings.
"It was a real community effort and a big community - we got donations from all around the world. It's not just a Wellington thing with Begonia House, it's touched people far and wide.
She said there were "two layers" within the army of volunteers who comprised the campaign. "There's probably about 50 people [who] really put themselves out there to make sure that people signed the petition and made submissions. But then there are thousands who talked about it with everybody that they met. I had feedback, especially from counsellors, going 'Oh my God, if I go to one more meeting where all they do is talk to me about the Begonia house'. I said, just vote for it, it's easy."
"There were so many people who really were captured by the idea of saving it. because it's such an important thing to so many people, on so many levels."
The Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden is fundraising to buy suitable equipment for the interior of the tropical greenhouse. Photo: Wellington City Council
A petition to save the greenhouse got 8730 valid signatures.
The council had saved the greenhouse but the upgrade budget was minimal, Scannell said.
"It's a do-minimum decision. So I'm working with local construction companies who say we're all part of this Wellington community and I've already had enormous support from them, which I'm very grateful for. So I'm hoping that we will have a better than do-minimum building for a do-minimum price."
The Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden was also now fundraising to buy suitable equipment for the interior of the tropical greenhouse.
"We're now raising money so the inside can be the best it possibly can, as well," Scannell said.
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