from the coucil:

The kilns at Te Horo had a celebration last week, prior to their public opening on 14 December. The kilns honour the late Mirek Smíšek, who hand-built them to create his pottery masterpieces here for almost 30 years.

We’ve supported the reconstruction of the kilns through our Heritage Fund, which provides financial support to our district’s ecological, geological, historical, and culture features.

The kilns were in danger of being dismantled to make room for the Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway, so it’s fantastic to see this category 2 heritage site rejuvenated as part of a wider arts and visitor attraction that includes the former Te Horo Railway Station, ancient Hautere bush, and a six-month residency to potter Doreen Blumhardt.