Does my property have a protected heritage item on it?
To know whether you have a protected heritage item on your property the first thing to do is check the Proposed District Plan maps.
Heritage sites are denoted with a blue outline around the property and the letter ‘H’ and a three digit number (e.g. H312). Chapter 17 – Cultural Heritage of the Plan contains lists of heritage items, sorted by their ‘H’ number.
It is also important to note that the Historic Places Act 1991 protects all ‘archaeological sites’ in New Zealand that are either “associated with human activity that occurred before 1900” or “is the site of the wreck of any vessel where that wreck occurred before 1900” and “is or may be able through investigation by archaeological methods to provide evidence relating to the history of New Zealand”.
To destroy, damage, or modify an ‘archaeological site’ requires an authority from the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
Old Cement Works, Warkworth
How do I get the Council to protect an item in my community?
The first step is to check and see whether the item is already protected in the Proposed District Plan by looking at the Proposed District Plan maps.
Heritage sites are denoted with a blue outline around the property and the letter ‘H’ and a three digit number (e.g. H312). Chapter 17 – Cultural Heritage of the Plan contains lists of heritage items, sorted by their ‘H’ number.
If the item is not already protected you can request that Council investigates the item and assesses whether it is worthy of protection under the District Plan. To request a site to be investigated please email heritage@rodney.govt.nz with as many details as is known about the site including the street address, legal description, CHI number (if known), common name, owner’s details, description of site, reason for heritage protection, and your contact details. The Council will add the item to its list of sites to consider. Sites will be investigated as Council resources allow.
You can also ask the New Zealand Historic Places Trust to investigate a heritage item to add to their register.
Can I get financial assistance to preserve and restore a heritage item I own?
You may be able to. The Council has a Heritage Item Assistance Fund. The Council also waives resource consent processing fees for heritage consents that meet particular criteria.