Help Save Waikato Cathedral
110 years in the making.
The next chapter starts now.
St Peter's has held a place in Hamilton life for over a century.
Now we have the chance to secure it for those who come next.
A seismic strengthening requirement means the work must begin.
We are seeking support from across the community to make it happen.
This work is not simply about strengthening a building.
It is about safeguarding a taonga that belongs to all Waikato.
OUR FIRST FOCUS
A home for music at the heart of the Cathedral
The Music Centre will support one of the Cathedral's most active ministries while providing seismic strengthening to the Nave.
With a fundraising target of $5 million, it is the first step in securing the Cathedral's future.
Proposed Music Centre
Why this matters
St Peter's is not only a place of worship. It is a place of service and commemoration, of community and learning, of performance and musical excellence. For many, it has been the place where a musical journey began.
These are some of their stories.
Aidan Thomas Phillips
Music was already a familiar part of his life, but one early memory at the Cathedral stood out.
Cecily Shaw
While music played a central role, it was the joy and camaraderie of choir life that Cecily remembers.
Follow the journey...
LET US TAKE YOU ON THE JOURNEY OF THE MUSIC CENTRE AND THE WIDER PROJECT
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SAVING WAIKATO CATHEDRAL
The wider project
A SINGLE, COHESIVE VISION DELIVERED THROUGH CLEARLY DEFINED STAGES
The proposed strengthening programme has been carefully designed to improve seismic performance, enhance usability, and protect the Cathedral’s heritage character.
Rather than a single construction project, the work is structured as a series of connected stages, with the Music Centre marking the beginning of a wider effort to secure the Cathedral for generations to come. Each stage delivers a clear outcome while also enabling the next.
Strengthening the Cathedral will require leadership support, institutional funding, and participation from parishioners and the community.
The preliminary cost for the entire project is $22 million.
Who's Involved?
The patrons of the fundraising appeal for the Waikato Cathedral Church of St Peter are Dame Malvina Major and Lady Judi Gallagher.
A collaboration of experts in engineering, architecture, heritage, and project management leads the Waikato Cathedral strengthening and restoration project:
Cathedral Vestry: Oversight and guidance.
Project Control Group (PCG): Engineers, architects, and Cathedral representatives coordinating the project.
Waikato Anglican Cathedral Refurbishment Appeal (WACRA) Committee: Drives donations, events, and community engagement.
Key Contractors and Consultants:
Beca
PĀUA Architects
Kingstons
GPR Imaging
Perry Geotech
Stage 1 - The Music Centre
Stage 1 delivers the most significant early strengthening intervention, combined with a new Music Centre that supports both structural performance and community use.
Strengthening the Cathedral by adding carefully designed spaces at the Baptistery end and along the side of the Nave is a highly cost-effective way to improve seismic performance while also providing much-needed functional space.
The key objective is life safety, ensuring people are protected in the event of a seismic event, while also upgrading the 110-year-old building so it can serve the community well into the future.
This stage includes:
Construction of a new Music Centre adjacent to the southern aisle, designed to avoid interference with existing stained glass windows and interior heritage features
Seismic strengthening of the Nave integrated into the new structure
Provision of rehearsal and small recital space for the choir and community use
Relocation of choir functions from the existing choir vestry, which currently has the lowest seismic (NBS) rating within the building
Creation of a foundation structure that enables later strengthening of the choir vestry in a future stage
The Music Centre is designed to support one of the Cathedral’s most active ministries while also acting as a key structural bracing element for the wider building.
Outcome
Stage 1 establishes the primary seismic strengthening system for the Cathedral and provides a new functional space that supports ongoing worship and community activity. It also enables future staged strengthening of adjacent areas.
Fundraising target
$5million
Stage 2 - The Baptistery Extension
The Baptistery extension replaces and strengthens the existing 1933 unreinforced masonry wall with a new architectural volume that improves both seismic resilience and usability.
A new concrete half-octagonal form is introduced, oriented perpendicular to the narthex. This structure plays an important role in improving the Cathedral's longitudinal stability.
The existing arched stained glass windows will be carefully preserved and reinstalled within the new structure, maintaining continuity of heritage character.
Outcome
This stage significantly improves seismic performance at the eastern end of the Cathedral and strengthens the structural relationship between the Baptistery and Nave, preparing the building for subsequent stages.
Fundraising target
$5.1 million
Stage 3 - The Bell Tower and Chapel Conversion
The Bell Tower will be strengthened and completed with a new five-sided spire, fulfilling the Cathedral’s original architectural intent. The spire features a Poutama pattern spiralling from base to peak, designed by acclaimed New Zealand sculptor the late Fred Graham.
The former choir room will also be converted into a chapel, enhancing liturgical flexibility and use.
Fundraising target
$5.1 million
Stage 4 - Organ Loft Protection
This stage focuses on protecting the Cathedral’s nationally significant organ through structural reinforcement and environmental stabilisation of the Organ Loft.
Stage 5 - Nave and Front Porch Completion
The final stage completes seismic strengthening and restoration of the Nave and Front Porch, ensuring the Cathedral’s primary gathering space is fully secured for future generations.
NB: Preliminary plans were approved in late 2025 under New Zealand’s earthquake-prone building legislation, and our fundraising and planning are based on these plans. They have been approved by New Zealand Heritage and the Hamilton City Council Heritage Department, with building consent granted for the works. Adaptations will be made if required, should building regulations change. The preliminary pricing has been provided by our quantity surveyors.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
There are many meaningful ways to support Saving Waikato Cathedral.
Whether you choose to make a gift today, contribute over time, or leave a lasting legacy, every act of generosity helps secure the Cathedral’s future.
MAKE A DONATION
You can make a one-off gift or choose to give regularly through direct credit.
Account details:
Waikato Diocesan Trust Board
A/C No. 02-0316-0074209-023
Please enter your name, phone number, and WCRF in the reference section.
Contact fundraising@stpeter.org.nz for a tax receipt.
LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL
Leaving a gift in your Will is a powerful way to create a legacy and ensure the Cathedral continues to serve the Waikato community for generations to come. If this is something you would like to explore, we would be pleased to help guide you through the process.
SPONSOR A FEATURE
Supporters may choose to contribute towards a particular part of the Cathedral, such as a pew or other special item.
Pews cost $2,500 and will have a plaque with your name on the back, if you wish.
PAYROLL GIVING
Giving through your payroll can be an easy and tax-effective way to contribute. If your workplace offers payroll giving, we can help you understand how to get started.
Support does not always need to be financial. We warmly welcome gifts in kind, practical support, and conversations about other ways you may wish to contribute.
To discuss any of these options, please contact us.
Recent highlights and information
Standing behind the Cathedral
Dame Malvina Major
"I totally support the earthquake strengthening of St Peter's Cathedral. It is an iconic and well-loved building and a valued part of our heritage.
A great asset not only to the Anglican community, but to Hamilton people and visitors to our city."
- Appeal Co-Patron
Kolitha Jayatunge
"The Cathedral's offering as an acoustic space for classical concerts not only honors its tradition but also embraces its role as a dynamic and inclusive center for artistic expression and enrichment.”
- Music Director, Cantando Choir and Waikato Youth Choir
Dr Rachael Griffiths-Hughes
"As a space for music, St. Peter’s is desirable for its wonderful acoustic, with ensembles such as the New Zealand String Quartet, the New Zealand Symphony and Auckland Youth Orchestras, the Hamilton Civic, Viva Voce, Cantando, Christ’s College, Cambridge choirs repeatedly staging their concerts there.”