By Kerryn Penn, Planner, Baseline Group, | May 05, 2023
New Zealand may not have towering cathedrals or ancient ruins, but that doesn't mean our history is any less valuable. From the stories of our indigenous peoples to the remnants of early European settlement, our cultural and natural heritage is a precious part of our identity. These treasures not only remind us of our past but also help shape our future. As our country continues to grow and change, it's more important than ever to protect and preserve these treasures for future generations.
Heritage protection is not just the responsibility of professionals such as archaeologists and historians, but it's also a shared responsibility of landowners and everyday people who care about our shared history. By understanding the legal obligations and requirements that apply to heritage protection, landowners can play a crucial role in preserving our cultural and natural heritage.
It's essential to undertake comprehensive due diligence before purchasing a property with heritage values to ensure that you know what legal obligations apply. This includes purchasing a Land Information Memorandum from Council, which would provide you with the recorded information, including any planning overlays. However, it's important to note that not all heritage items have been formally recorded or identified, and unrecorded heritage, including cultural heritage and archaeological sites, may be subject to other legislation and processes.
For those who purchase a property with identified heritage values, they must be made aware of the additional requirements that apply. For example, if the property contains a historic dwelling, you'll need to comply with relevant legislation and District Plan requirements. This can be a complicated process, and it's often beneficial to engage a development specialist such as a planner who has experience with heritage protection and understands both the legislative requirements and direction from central government as well as what you may be required to comply with in regard to the District Plan.
While the process of redeveloping or maintaining a property with heritage values can be expensive and challenging, the benefits outweigh the costs. Heritage plays an essential role in our social fabric, contributing to our collective history and providing a sense of identity and connection to the past. Moreover, preserving our heritage allows us to share our stories with future generations and ensure that they too can appreciate and value our cultural and natural legacy.
Protecting and preserving our heritage is a responsibility that we all share, and it's vital that we work together to ensure that our cultural and natural treasures are safeguarded for the future. Whether you're a landowner or just someone who cares about our shared history, it's up to us to take action to protect and preserve the heritage that makes New Zealand such a unique and special place.
Articles you might be interested in
- Who Pays for Infrastructure in Greenfield Land Development?
- Selwyn District Council Changes Urban Allotment Sizes
- What to do when you inherit land
- Crunch Time For New Freshwater Legislation
- Is it a Wetland or Not?
- Highly Productive Soils – Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs
- Cross lease titles - an overview
- How Tree Canopies Transform Neighbourhoods and Enhance Lives
- The impact of consent notices when purchasing land
- Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes - effect on farming
- Make Your Additional Land Profitable Under the Selwyn Proposed Plan
- Risks to farmland in the planning framework
- Housing Growth continues in Selwyn with Legislative Support
- Rural allotment sizes set to double in West Selwyn
- Why we have complicated septic tank disposal rules
- Housing Intensification – Not for Everyone Says CCC
- Buildings under exemptions may still need resource consent
- How lizards might affect your new development
- Changes to Flood Management in Selwyn
- Who Shapes our Planning Rules?
- Good District Plan provisions save time and money
- Have your say on Development Projects
- Proposed Selwyn District Plan Update
- Fundamental Culture Shift in New Zealand Planning Legislation.
- Minimum car parking requirements to be chopped
- The dream of subdividing your land
- Changes to Resource Management Planning Signalled in Proposed Legislation
- The Great Forestry Debate
- Your Rights as an Affected Neighbour: Navigating Development Under the RMA
- District Plan in Selwyn – How will it Affect You?
- Wild Weather and Resource Consent Requirements
- Boundary disputes – What are they and how can you resolve them?
- Highly Productive Soils – Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs
- Hazardous activities, land contamination and resource consent applications
- Time's up on the RMA
- Minimum Car Parking Requirements to be Chopped
- Is the RMA really the problem?
- Negotiating with Neighbours Under the RMA
- But that’s the way we have always done it!
- Indigenous Biodiversity: what does it mean for a farmer?
- Planning Permissions – Resource Consent or Plan Change?
- Crime Prevention Through Environment Design (CPTED)
- Historic Heritage Challenges for Landowners
- Burning crop stubble on your property?
- Rural Allotment Sizes set to Double
- Planning land use to be resilient to natural hazards
- Balancing Common Sense and Legal Process under the RMA: Protecting Communities and the Environment
- How might Development Contributions affect you?
- Game changers for housing under the RMA
- A Practical Guide for District Plan Reviews
- Commercial Activity in a Rural Zone – What’s the Harm?
- Managing Cultural Heritage Sites
- Tiny Home Revolution May Not Save Costs
- New Indigenous Biodiversity Legislation Mandates Significant Natural Area Identification
- With increasing density, good design matters
- State highways, noise and reverse sensitivity: what’s the buzz?
- Planning Rules can Affect Property Value
- Spotlight on District Plan Provisions
- RMA changes are coming, are you ready?
- The Role of Planning in the Climate Change - Discussion for Agriculture
- Councils are Increasing Residential Density, but why, who does it benefit?
- The importance of knowing your boundaries
- What does a professional planner do?
- Proposed Selwyn District Plan - What next?
- Change isn't coming, it's here!
- A recent Baseline Group project was recognised at the 2022 Canterbury Architecture Awards