Heritage Management Guidelines

Historic heritage policy

The Resource Management Amendment Act 2003 defines historic heritage as those natural and physical resources that contribute to an understanding and appreciation of New Zealand's history and cultures, and they can include:

• historic sites, structures, places, and areas
• archaeological sites
• sites of significance to Maori, including wahi tapu, and
• surroundings associated with the natural and physical features.

For schools with buildings and sites with historic heritage significance, both the ministry and boards have responsibilities to meet the government's policy requirements for their care and upkeep.

Government's policy requirements

The government has established 19 policies for the management of historic heritage which, in brief, require:

• identification of any buildings and sites of historic heritage at schools
• records to be kept including recording any changes to historic heritage features
• careful planning for the management of these features, including monitoring their condition, carrying out appropriate maintenance and ensuring their protection when carrying out building projects.

Planning

If the school has any historic heritage features, their management must be specially planned for in the 10YPP.

Project Management and Design Requirements

Boards should also ensure that the historic heritage values of any adjacent buildings are taken into account when a project brief is being drawn up for the design of a new building.

This applies to historic heritage buildings in the school grounds as well as those owned by other people i.e. an historic heritage feature should be considered in the context of the surrounding heritage landscape.

The full requirements for managing historic heritage at schools can be found in the ministry's Heritage Management Guidelines at the bottom of this page.