Farewell to Chris Cochran

Chris Cochran MNZM has been a friend and trusted advisor to the Trust since its inception in the late 1980s. During that time he has acted in a variety of roles including, Chair of the Conservation Advisory Group, Conservation Architect, Conservation Plan Editor, and a member  of various Design Teams. After 34 years of valued service to the Trust, Chris has taken the decision to step down from the Conservation Design Team in June 2022.

Chris took a leading role in the early years of the Trust’s conservation efforts. He helped to develop the conservation plans for each of the sites the Trust cares for, which laid the foundation for the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project. He has also contributed to safeguarding the future of the UKAHT’s sites on the Antarctic Peninsula. Chris is one of New Zealand’s most experienced conservation architects. Prior to 1988, Chris worked for the Ministry of Works in an advisory role to the New Zealand Government on heritage buildings before establishing his own practice. He has written numerous conservation and management plans for heritage structures in New Zealand.

In 2007, Chris was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the conservation of historic buildings. He is also a member of the Heritage New Zealand Board.

The Trust would like to acknowledge and thank Chris for the significant contribution and extraordinary commitment he has made to the conservation of the Ross Island explorer bases. Nigel Watson Trust Executive Director says, “After the privilege of working with Chris for two decades, I truly appreciate how fortunate the Trust has been to have his expertise and knowledge to call on.”