Dunedin's heritage buildings were the star attraction of a new radio programme that started this week.
Heritage Matters made its debut on Otago Access Radio last Sunday evening, 20 March, the project of a group of Dunedin veteran journalists and broadcasters who are also heritage fans.
With a line-up of presenters including veteran broadcaster Dougal Stevenson, former TV and print journalist Bill Southworth, reporter Jane Edwards and Southern Heritage Trust founder Ann Barsby, the 30-minute programme plans to cover a range of topics.
Mr Southworth said Dunedin was perfect for the programme, because of the large number of heritage buildings in the city. Many heritage buildings were either undergoing restoration work or had recently been restored - including the Athenaeum in the Octagon.
‘‘Dunedin is the heritage centre of New Zealand.''Mr Stevenson said Dunedin had the first university, botanical gardens and girls' high school in the country.‘‘There's a lot of firsts in this town,'' the broadcaster said.
He said growing numbers of people in the city were taking an interest in their local history.‘‘[Look] what the centenary of Gallipoli has brought to the surface.''
Mrs Barsby said the programme would include a news bulletin about the city's heritage buildings and also focus on building restorations and early European and Maori history in the area.
The programme, which first aired on Monday at noon, is produced with sponsorship provided by the University of Otago's Centre on Colonial Culture.
A new episode of Heritage Matters will air on Otago Access Radio every second Monday at noon, with replays the following Sunday at 7pm.
