Under The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), the protection of historic heritage from inappropriate subdivision, use and development is a matter of national importance delegated to councils.
The Wellington Heritage Policy, guided by the RMA, sets out how we work to identify and protect Wellington’s heritage places.
What is historic heritage in the Resource Management Act?
The (RMA) defines historic heritage as natural or physical resources that help us to understand or appreciate New Zealand's history and cultures. Heritage sites may have archaeological, architectural, cultural, historic, scientific or technological qualities.
Historic heritage includes:
- historic sites, structures, places and areas
- archaeological sites
- sites of significance to Māori, including wāhi tapu
- surroundings associated with the natural and physical resources, eg land or setting around a heritage item.
Find out what's protected
Heritage items in Wellington
The Wellington City 2024 District Plan (the District Plan) heritage schedules are the Council's primary means of identifying and protecting the city's heritage.
See the list of heritage items protected under the District Plan:
Schedule 1 – Ngā Whare Aronehe | Heritage Buildings
Schedule 2 – Ngā Hanganga Aronehe | Heritage Structures
Schedule 3 – Ngā Wāhi Aronehe | Heritage Areas
Schedule 4 – Ngā Wāhi Mātai Whaipara Tāngata | Scheduled Archaeological Sites
Schedule 7 – Ngā Wāhi Tapu o te Māori | Sites and Areas of Significance to Māori
Wellington City heritage inventory
The heritage inventory is an online tool you can use to search for detailed information on heritage buildings, structures and areas that appear in the District Plan heritage schedules.
It provides a full range of information, such as:
- a brief summary of the heritage item, including address, map location, photographs; architects and builders
- general history, including modifications, occupation and uses
- architectural information, including original drawings sourced from Wellington City Archives
- a statement of cultural value as assessed prior inclusion in the District Plan heritage schedules
- site detail and any other relevant additional information, including WCC Inventory Report.
Access the heritage inventory
New Zealand Heritage List / Rārangi Kōrero
The Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 (HNZPT Act) that established the functions and powers of Heritage New Zealand (HNZPT) is the other main piece of legislation applying to historic heritage in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Heritage List / Rārangi Kōrero is a heritage information tool maintained by Heritage New Zealand. It identifies and provides information on significant heritage places throughout New Zealand.
Note that because the New Zealand Heritage List / Rārangi Kōrero (the List) and the Wellington City Heritage Schedules operate under different legislation, you may find some historic heritage items listed in the List that are not in the District Plan. schedules, and vice versa.
Archaeological sites
Archaeological Sites are places associated with pre-1900 human activity where there may be evidence relating to the history of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA) holds a database of all the archaeological sites in the country. This is accessible through our online Property map, under the Layer ‘Archaeological Sites’.
Three archaeological sites are also scheduled in the Wellington City District Plan 2024 due to their significant heritage value.
All archaeological sites are protected by the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014. It is a requirement of the Act that an Archaeological Authority (consent) is granted if a site may be modified or destroyed.
Contact Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga for:
- information and resources on archaeological sites
- archaeological site protection and the Law, and,
- if you are planning to undertake works that involve disturbance of a site occupied before 1900, as you may need an archaeological authority before works start.
For more information on archaeological research and a consultant directory, visit: New Zealand Archaeological Association.