Donors who wanted local heritage to remain in the area offered DOC their artefacts and archives on that basis. Also, DOC offices often keep artefacts and archival material where no suitable on-site repository is available.

So, while DOC does not generally manage artefacts and archives as its core business, it does respect these agreements from earlier times.

DOC has adopted standards for the management of artefact and archive collections and implements these as funding permits. Similarly, funding realities limit public access to these collections to special projects.

Some of the artefacts are used in interpretive displays in visitor centres. In the future, there may be opportunities for local volunteers to enhance collection management and local access.

These sites managed by DOC have significant artefact and archive collections:

Northland

• Northland District Office
• Russell Visitors Centre

Auckland

• Mansion House, Kawau Island
• Auckland District Office

East Coast/Hawke’s Bay

• Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre
• McCahon Mural, 1976, Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre
• Nga Taonga Tuku Iho (Treasures from the Past), Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre 

Tongariro/Taupo

• Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre

Wanganui

• Dawson Falls Visitor Centre Climbing Collection, 1930s onwards
• North Egmont Visitor Centre Climbing Collection, 1930s onwards

Wellington

• Matiu/Somes Island Field Centre, 1870s onwards

Canterbury

• Rangiora Field Base, Arthur’s Pass National Park.
• Aoraki/Mount Cook Area Office Visitor Centre, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

West Coast

• Southern West Coast District Office
• Franz Josef Visitor Centre

Southland

• Southland Museum and Art Gallery – Roaring Forties Exhibition partnership