15 July 2026: Prince's Gate archway

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Prince's Gate archway

Enquiry

From Rotorua Daily Post:

I'm writing a story about the council taking down the Prince’s Gate Archway for safety reasons.

I've interviewed Former Princes Gate owner Brett Marvelly and would like to share some of his comments for right of response. Please also find my questions below:

Comments:

Former Princes Gate owner Brett Marvelly said it was a wooden structure, “so as far as strengthening it, that wouldn’t be a problem”.

“I’d like to see them actually go in there and have a look at it as it is now ... ”

Marvelly said he would like to see an independent review of “whoever’s come up with this decision of taking it down and having a look at it”.

“It’s too easy to throw away things that can never be replicated.”

He agreed safety was “number one”.

“But at the same token, you cannot replicate history. Once you take history away, it never comes back."

He said it was an “icon” and was a “very photographed gate”.

“In regard to the history, it’s a fabric of our society.”

I've also spoken with a couple of other Rotorua residents about what they hoped would happen to the archway.

One said he hoped the archway could be strengthened and maintained given it was an important feature in Rotorua's history.

Another said he would love to see the “unique” archway rebuilt.

“If there’s parts of that structure that can be reinstated and reused, then that would be nice, I think, to have those materials a part of that original story.

“But if that’s not possible or cost-prohibitive, then I think rebuilding it in new materials but to the original design would be a good outcome.”

Questions:

• Who was the independent engineer that did the assessments?
• What was the scope of works for the independent review of the structure?
• Was council told the archway had to come down or was it told to try and preserve it?
• When was the last time the archway had strengthening work done?
• When will work begin to take the archway down?
• What is your response to Brett's comments, particularly around assessing it and strengthening it while it is still up, rather than taking it down?

Response

From Group Manager - Community Experience, Alex Wilson:

Public safety is the priority.

We are monitoring forecasts and if high wind warnings are predicted we will close the area off as a precautionary measure. The structure is not considered unsafe for the public in normal conditions.

We have sought the advice of an independent expert engineer (Blueline Consulting - Civil, Environmental, Geotechnical & Structural Engineering Consultants), no decisions have been made on the future of the Prince's Gateway Arches.

The purpose of this inspection was to visually assess the current structural condition and stability of the lattice arch structure following removal of loose timber that was falling from the structure.

The structure has deteriorated to the point where it can no longer safely remain in place in its current state.

Council is going through the process of appointing a project manager and expect the deconstruction to begin in the next two to three months.