Historic Places Trust Board in Northland

New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information release
1 November 2007

The Board of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the Trust's Maori Heritage Council met in the Hokianga recently and visited some of New Zealand's most significant heritage sites, as well as experiencing Hokianga heritage tourism products.

Dame Anne Salmond (white suit at front) with members of the NZ Historic Places Trust Board, Maori Heritage Council and NZHPT staff in front of
Te Waimate Mission

The Trust's Board and Maori Heritage Council normally meets in Wellington, but is also committed to holding several meetings in regional areas annually to see historic places and meet those involved in promoting historic heritage.

"Northland is a special part of New Zealand. Not only is there very significant Maori heritage but it is also here that our nation truly began, and many of the heritage destinations managed by the Trust tell key parts of this story," says Board Chair, Dame Anne Salmond.

"We've had the opportunity to visit and catch up on developments and planning for the Trust's heritage destinations including M?ngungu Mission, Clendon House, Kerikeri Mission Station, Te Waimate Mission and Pompallier Mission. The Trust is currently undertaking some key development initiatives at our Northland properties, which will include upgrading their presentation to visitors. We're excited about the role that the Trust can play in Northland, linking our sites through their stories and working with others to encourage visitors to stay longer in the region, creating jobs and prosperity for local communities."

In addition to managing heritage destinations, the Historic Places Trust also provides important heritage services to local communities and councils, including identification of historic places through the Register, advocacy and education for heritage places, and statutory protection and regulation of archaeological sites.

"We are also keen to reinforce our regional staff, who work closely with communities throughout New Zealand, and we feel the best way of doing this is to commit to holding several board meetings a year in the regions to better understand issues we are dealing with at the coal face," says Dame Anne.

"Our meetings in Omapere and other parts of Northland have enabled us to meet with Historic Places Trust Branch Committee members, iwi and local Councils, and our staff. It's been a very productive and enjoyable time."

The significant initiatives being taken for heritage tourism, focused on historic places of great importance in Northland, was reinforced to many Board members, who visited both the Hokianga and the Bay of Islands during their three-day schedule.

"The impression we have is that Northland businesses are increasingly appreciating the unique historic heritage of Northland, giving them a strong point of difference over other regions."

Meeting and talking with local heritage stakeholders has also been a particular highlight. "There's nothing like meeting people face to face and learning more about local issues. That was one of our objectives in holding some of our meetings in the regions, and that has certainly been achieved during our time here," she says.

For more information

John O'Hare
Heritage Adviser Media and Marketing
Ph (09) 401-7582, email johare@historic.org.nz