New Zealand Historic Places Trust / Pouhere Taonga

Local authorities participate in heritage management in various ways. These include preparation of district plans and policy statements under the RMA, statutory processes, partnerships, strategic direction, and the public interest roles. They also manage historic heritage in areas for which they are responsible (eg regional parks).

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust Pouhere Taonga has prepared these guidelines on sustainable management of historic heritage to promote understanding of historic heritage and to assist local authorities, owners and developers to identify and manage historic heritage in light of the Resource Management Act (1991) and its 2003 Amendment.

The Sustainable Management of Historic Heritage guidance series aims to assist local authorities, owners of heritage places, iwi and hapu, and other stakeholders in the protection and conservation of historic heritage under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and other related resource management and planning legislation.

The purpose of the fund is to provide financial incentives to encourage the conservation of nationally significant heritage places in private ownership, as opposed to those in the ownership of the public sector and agencies eligible for funding from the Lottery Grants Board. Priority is given to heritage places of national significance where conservation work is planned and could be improved through extra funding.

The Trust works closely with local authorities to advocate for positive heritage outcomes in various ways, including making submissions on planning documents and resource consent applications, and delivering education, training and promotion programmes.

The way in which local authorities carry out their historic heritage management role varies greatly throughout New Zealand. A snapshot of what is happening.

Find out more about the Historic Places Trust here, including the Register of Historic Places, places to visit and the Trust's work.