Kōrero: City boosters and promoters

Buildings can be read as an indicator of a town or city’s progress and prosperity. In the 19th century, timber buildings were often designed to resemble stone or plastered masonry. In many places timber was more readily available than more permanent materials, but building owners still wanted to make a grand statement. The old Bank of New Zealand building in Wellington, built in 1873 and demolished in 1899, is a good example of this practice.