Project Feature: All Saints’ Church

All Saints Church, Hokitika built in 1936, this historic building required a specialised approach to its preservation. Equus Industries was engaged by Wilson-Tait Painting to provide a breathable, mineral paint system, ideal for heritage structures.

The chosen system, Equus Keim Granital, is specifically designed to protect the building by allowing it to breathe while keeping moisture out. One of the biggest challenges was matching the original colour scheme, as the existing façade was heavily weathered. Through collaboration between Wilson-Tait Painting, the Church, and Equus, a suitable colour and system were carefully selected to restore the building’s appearance and ensure its longevity.

Keim Granital is a high-performance, water-repellent silicate paint designed for long-lasting protection and restoration of mineral surfaces. Its advanced formulation shields against harsh environmental conditions, including acidic pollutants, while maintaining breathability and durability. As part of the Keim Granital system, it can be combined with complementary products to meet a wide range of restoration and preservation needs.

History:

All Saints’ Church in Hokitika has been a landmark since the 1860s gold rush. Built in 1866, the original wooden church served the Anglican community until plans for a lasting World War I tribute led to a new design. Proposed in 1919, construction began in 1936 under architect Richard Strachan De Renzy Harman. The reinforced concrete church, seating 200, was consecrated on November 1, 1936—70 years after the original. Now a Heritage New Zealand Category 1 building, it remains a symbol of history and architectural significance.

Project: All Saints’ Church
Location: Hokitika, West Coast
Built: 1936 – Refurbished 2024
Contractor: Wilson-Tait Painting & Decorating