Disability heritage guide: Jubilee Building

At the ages of 5 and 6, Tewai Skipwith-Halatau (Te Arawa) lived at the iconic Jubilee Building in Parnell. Join her as she rediscovers some old spots.

The Jubilee Building began in 1908 as the home to The Jubilee Institute for the Blind, New Zealand’s first residential school for blind students. It is now home to the Parnell Community Centre and library, and a thriving Saturday Farmer’s Market.

Accessibility notes

Getting to the Jubilee Building

There is mobility parking at the front entrance and rear entrance of the building, and popular bus route stops right outside along Parnell Road.

When you arrive at the Jubilee Building, you’ll be welcomed with a ramp at the front entrance. There is also a ramp at the rear of the building, from the north-western side of Jubilee Hall. The narrowest point of the rear ramp measures 74cm.

Accessing inside

The entrance way to the Jubilee Building is a double door, each side measuring 69cm. The entrance to the Jubilee Hall (old dining hall) are double doors, each side 55cm.

The building has one disabled toilet on the ground floor, at the end of the front hall and to the right - close to the interior access to the Jubilee Hall. The building also has an elevator, located on the ground floor opposite the staircase.

Out the back, the rear entrances are double doors, each side being 55cm in length.

This mahi is made possible by Stout Trust, proudly managed by Perpetual Guardian Ltd.