DOC's role

The importance of our heritage

New Zealand has its own unique historical and cultural heritage and historic places which reveal the lives of people who came before us. By preserving and interpreting these places we maintain an important link between the past and the present.

Historic places are being destroyed, through development and natural processes, at an alarming rate. This destruction can only be halted or slowed.

The role of the Department of Conservation

The Department of Conservation (DOC) manages all historic resources on the land it administers under Section 6 of the Conservation Act 1987. Initially, the Minister of Conservation was responsible for historic heritage, including the Historic Places Act 1993 and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the Department provided policy support.

A recent ministerial review led to a realignment of these roles and responsibilities, taking effect from 1st September 1999. The principal responsibilities for historic policy and legislation, including the Historic Places Act and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, now lie with the Minister for Culture and Heritage.

DOC will continue to maintain, manage and interpret historic heritage features on land it administers. Other sites are variously managed by bodies, which represent the appropriate community of interest (such as iwi, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, local community groups and local authorities), or are in private ownership.

DOC is a corporate member of the New Zealand Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, better known as ICOMOS. ICOMOS exists to encourage best practice in the protection and management of historic heritage. ICOMOS New Zealand has developed a Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Heritage Value, to guide the quality of conservation work. The department is guided by this charter for the management of historic places in its care.