5. Historical and Cultural Heritage
Places managed under conservation legislation contain a rich historical and cultural heritage for all New Zealanders - places of exploration, settlement, natural resource use and protection, warfare, communication, and ongoing spiritual and cultural associations. Such places provide a link between the present and the past and with the culture of those who came before.
The Department manages historical and cultural heritage on public conservation lands and waters. Advocacy for historical and cultural heritage outside public conservation lands and waters is covered by policies in Chapter 7.
POLICIES
5 Historical and Cultural Heritage
5 (a) Conservation management strategies and plans should identify historical and cultural heritage on public conservation lands and waters, and required conservation outcomes for that heritage.
5 (b) Historical and cultural heritage on public conservation lands and waters, that is assessed as having high significance in accordance with the Historic Places Act 1993, should be actively managed (including restoration where this is necessary) within the context of integrated conservation management.
5 (c) Tangata whenua, as kaitiaki of their historical and cultural heritage, will be invited to participate in the identification, preservation and management of heritage of significance to them on public conservation lands and waters.
5 (d) Significant information should be recorded where historical and cultural heritage on public conservation lands and waters is threatened by unavoidable damage or destruction.
5 (e) Historic buildings and structures on public conservation lands and waters should be used in ways that:
- i. enable their preservation;
- ii. are in keeping with their assessed significance; and
- iii. provide opportunities for the public to appreciate them.
5 (f) Collections of antiquities and artefacts, including taonga, may be held or managed by the Department where it is important to preserve their association with places, or for information purposes, consistent with the provisions of the Antiquities Act 1975.
5 (g) Monuments, pou whenua, plaques or other memorials may be sited in places associated with people, traditions or events of exceptional importance in New Zealand or conservation history. They should be consistent with the character of the place and should not be attached to or engraved into natural features.
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