Acheron Accomodation house, Molesworth Station, Marlborough. Photo: Les Molloy.
Molesworth Station, Marlborough.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) manages historic heritage on one third of New Zealand’s land area. Around 12,000 historic heritage sites reflect a wide range of themes. All these sites are protected from avoidable harm. DOC has prioritised 660 key sites, a representative selection, for active management. At these key sites, we work to minimise deterioration and to provide a memorable experience for visitors.

DOC has established processes and standards that guide the historic heritage management program, based on international best practice.

  • Our Role: Sets out DOC’s historic heritage role.
  • Other Agencies: Sets out the historic heritage role of other key agencies.
  • National Strategy: Where DOC is headed with historic heritage in the next 5-10 years.
  • History Standards: The quality of history we expect for our programs.
  • Asset Management: A tool for planning the work tasks associated with 12,000 sites
  • National Heritage Identification: A national assessment of groups of related sites to identify key representatives.
  • Heritage Inventory: A summary of the cultural heritage values of each site.
  • Baseline Inspection: The process used to set the level of care and development for a site.
  • Heritage Protection: The process used to protect all 12,000 sites from avoidable harm.
  • Heritage Conservation: The process used to minimise the deterioration of each of the 660 key sites and to plan facilities for visitor appreciation.
  • Materials Conservation: Technical information on how to minimise the deterioration of specific materials.
  • Management Alternatives Analysis: The process used to determine the best of several management options for a site.
 
Publication

The value of conservation

Information

New Zealand Historic Places Trust www.historic.org.nz

International Council on Monuments and Sites www.icomos.org

Ministry for Culture and Heritage www.mch.govt.nz

New Zealand Archaeological Association www.nzarchaeology.org