NZHPT Information release
1 July 2010
Landscape of the Lower Nevis, including a dredge pond and tailings.
Photo: NZHPT
The considerable historical and heritage value in the Lower Nevis valley in Central Otago has been formally recognised by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT).
Following an extensive consultation process that included discussing issues raised in public submissions, the NZHPT Board approved the Lower Nevis Historic Area when it met in Wellington on 25 June.
NZHPT Otago/Southland Area Manager Owen Graham said the registration identified the historic values associated with the Lower Nevis, 32km from Cromwell, so they could be discussed in any future plans for the valley.
The Lower Nevis contains the most intact sequence of gold mining history in Otago, with the majority of sites dating from 1862 to the late 20th century.
The timing of the registration coincided with discussions surrounding the valley’s future, with a variation sought by the New Zealand and Otago Fish & Game Councils to the Kawarau Water Conservation Order currently being considered. NZHPT submitted in support of the amendment to the Ministry for the Environment special tribunal.
“NZHPT recognises the Lower Nevis Valley as being nationally significant. No other gold mining location in New Zealand compares to, or is complete as, this area,” Mr Graham said.
“The Nevis is almost an outdoor gold mining museum - with relics and evidence of where gold miners worked the land and lived from the 1860’s still dotting the landscape. The Nevis Valley’s isolation has ensured these historical, heritage and cultural features remain visible to visitors to this day.”
Registration is an advocacy tool intended to identify and inform people about New Zealand’s historic heritage. There are no short or long-term legal obligations on property owners that directly arise from registration under the Historic Places Act 1993.
Mr Graham said there were issues raised in the submission stage, including the ability of farmers and landowners to go about their daily business, of councils to manage and maintain roads and the belief that registration would afford unnecessary extra protection to the valley.
“The ability of property owners to go about their usual activities be it farming or otherwise, is not affected or prevented by NZHPT registration.
“Farmers are the backbone of the economy and the pastoral history in the Lower Nevis Valley is as important as the mining history. Registration is focused on identification and appropriate recognition of our history and is not a regulatory tool.
“Last year NZHPT registered a large part of Lyttelton Township as a Historic Area. Property owners there have been able to continue to make their own decisions on house alterations, selling and other every day activities within their council’s district plan rules.”
Mr Graham said that registration had no effect on councils’ ability to manage and maintain roads in the historic area, “except where there may be historic or archaeological features present which may require consultation with NZHPT in terms of the Historic Places Act”.
Under the Act pre-1900 archaeological sites cannot be destroyed, damaged or modified without NZHPT authorisation. The Act requires that an archaeological authority be issued prior to the modification or demolition of any pre-1900 site.
For more information:
Owen Graham
Area Manager – Otago/Southland
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
tel: 03 477 9856 or 027 431 6701
email: ograham@historic.org.nz
Background notes
About NZHPT
NZHPT is New Zealand’s lead heritage agency and, on behalf of New Zealanders, identifies, protects and preserves historic places. One aspect of this is working closely with local authorities and property owners to explore options for reusing historic places in place of demolishing them.
Registering historic places
Registration is the inclusion on the NZHPT National Register of a place or area that is considered part of New Zealand’s historical and cultural heritage. Places may be included on the register if they possess aesthetic, archaeological, architectural, cultural, historic, scientific, social, spiritual, technological or traditional qualities. Under the Historic Places Act, places with “special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value” may be accorded the highest ranking of Category I status.
Unfortunately, the registration process provides no protection to Category I and II historic places. Protection comes about when local authorities take the lead in protecting their local historic places by listing them in their district plans.
Historic areas
Historic areas are groups of related historic places such as a geographical area with a number of properties or sites, or a cultural landscape. Emphasis is on the significance of the group.
More information about registration
You can find out more about the Register within the NZHPT's website - why the Register is important, what registration means and how registration links with district plans.