War Memorial Gates Claim Described as "Nonsense"
New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information Release
10 January 2008
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust has denounced as "nonsense"
claims made by the Mawhera Incorporation that the removal of Greymouth's
War Memorial pillars was necessitated by NZHPT moves to list them.
The country's leading heritage agency also refutes reports carried in
the media, and as indicated by Mawhera, that NZHPT had planned a special
meeting this week to register the memorial gates.
New Zealand Historic Places Trust General Manager Southern Region Malcolm
Duff said he was extremely disappointed to see such excuses offered by
Mawhera chair Maika Mason in Christchurch's The Press newspaper
this morning.
"We are absolutely appalled that Mawhera is using the issue of the
gates being proposed for registration as an excuse to remove them. This
demonstrates a very poor understanding of the Register and its implications."
The NZHPT Register of historic places identifies and tells the stories
about New Zealand's most significant and valued heritage places. Its size
and national focus make the Register one of the most important historical
information resources in New Zealand.
Mr Duff said the Register does not afford automatic protection; rather
it is an information and advocacy tool. In many cases the significance
of the places registered leads to the heritage property being scheduled
for protection under the District Plan and the RMA; however this is not
a foregone conclusion.
Being registered with NZHPT does not directly create regulatory consequences
or legal obligations on property owners, nor does it create specific rights
or control over property.
Protection of historic places is afforded through the schedules of the
District Plans which are administered by local authorities. Once included
in a schedule, Local authorities are required to notify the NZHPT if a
project information memorandum (PIM) or building consent application is
received for a registered property. This allows the NZHPT to offer conservation
advice to property owners and advocate for the retention of heritage values.
Registration should also be noted on relevant land information memorandum
(LIM) for the property.
The NZHPT has been working to register the Gates at Greymouth as a Category
II historic place; this has involved research and consultation with key
stakeholders, including Mawhera Incorporation which had been provided
with details of what Registration entails and also a draft of the registration
report to seek their views.
In accordance with international best practice and the New Zealand ICOMOS
Charter heritage items such as these gates should be maintained in their
location and context and NZHPT believes it would have been possible to
maintain these gates in their location on the boundary of the site within
the landscaping design. The gates provide a link with the former school
- the first state school in Greymouth - and its pupils who paid the ultimate
sacrifice in defence of freedom that all New Zealanders enjoy today.
"The action of removing the gates illustrates the vulnerability
of New Zealand's heritage in circumstances where items are not scheduled
in District Plans and consequently given some protection. This case illustrates
the need for Councils to have clear policies for heritage in their District
Plans AND that their inventories or schedules of heritage places should
be as comprehensive as possible," said Mr Duff.
For more information:
Malcolm Duff
General Manager Southern
Ph: 03 377 3968 or 027 484 4088
Email: gmsouthern@historic.org.nz
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