In 2001 nine local artists set up "Aotea Community Artz" and in 2002 the group was registered as a Charitable Trust. The Chair of the Trust, Bob Lawson, is an artist with a variety of skills.  It was Bob's dream to rescue old heritage buildings and create a Heritage and Arts Village and during 2002 to 2004 he and his partner Dianne Hayes were able to acquire three houses which were fated to be demolished.  These buildings were all relocated to Gray Road, Kaitoke and placed on land generously provided by Alan and Sue Gray.

Heritage Village Trust Newsletter The Mabey Homestead: Helen Mabey donated this building which was associated with "Wairapara", shipwrecked on the coast at Miners Head in 1894.   The Gray Family House: Donated by Alan and June Mitchell this building was partially built by wreckage from the SS Wiltshire which went down on the south-east coast of Great Barrier Island in 1922. The School Master's House: This building originated in Tryphena in 1897 and was moved in the mid 1900s to a farm paddock in Whangaparapara Road where it was used as a dwelling for the farmer.  Later it became the local doctor's house and surgery and then the Club House for the Claris Sports and Social Club who donated it in 2004.

In December 2004 the Schoolmaster's House was opened as the Aotea Community Gallery which became and still is a successful outlet and gathering place for the local arts and crafts community.

During 2009 the group was renamed "Great Barrier Island Community Heritage and Arts Village Trust" reflecting, through the Aims and Objects the importance of GBI's heritage.  In August 2009  the GBI Community Board, on behalf of the Trust, approached Auckland City for a Council owned site, and also applied for funding to relocate the buildings. The Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee of Auckland City responded favourably, and the Council Open Space Reserve site at 80 Hector Sanderson Road in Claris, close to the Claris Airfield, was offered for lease.  Sufficient funding was granted from the Hauraki Gulf Islands Reserves Contribution Fund to move the houses and to begin the process of restoration.

The relocation took place in November 2009 and at the Grand Opening on 16th December 2009, many local residents and visitors including MP Nikki Kaye, Councillors Toni Millar and Denise Roche joined together to celebrate the event.

The Mabey Homestead and the Gray Family House are being restored for use as - Wairarapa/Mabey Heritage Museum and the Wiltshire/Gray House will be used initially as extended Gallery space. Further financial assistance has been provided through Auckland City SLIPS Funding, and is being carried out by a qualified builder with volunteer assistance.

The Aotea Gallery has seen double the number of visitor and a dramatically increased turnover since moving to a more central location.  Workshops, special events and exhibitions are planned each year and membership has grown from around eighty to two hundred and twenty. The Trust employs a Gallery Co-ordinator and willing volunteers look after the Gallery daily, welcoming visitors and promoting the artists' work. The village grounds will soon be landscaped with a central lawn, and plantings around each building representing the flora of the early settlers.   

May 2010