Increased support signals importance of heritage

THURSDAY 11 MAY 2006

Increased support signals importance of heritage

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust has welcomed increased funding support from the Government as recognition of the importance of historic heritage throughout New Zealand.

Speaking after Prime Minister Helen Clark’s announcement today of an extra $12.8 million in funding for the Historic Places Trust over the next four years, along with an additional $600,000 in this 05/06 financial year in supplementary funding, Trust Board Acting Chair John Acland said: “We welcome this additional funding, which accords with the vital role of the Trust in identifying and caring for the nation’s heritage of significant ancestral sites and buildings and ensuring that these are passed on to future generations.”

The Historic Places Trust manages outstanding places of national importance open to the public, plays an advocacy role in the resource management process, maintains the national Register of historic places, historic areas, wahi tapu and wahi tapu areas, and provides widely used advisory services.

John Acland added “Heritage sites tell the story of our country and illustrate our development as a society. By identifying and caring for these special places where our history happened, the Trust contributes to national and regional pride and identity; to economic development through urban regeneration and heritage tourism; and to rich and rewarding urban and rural landscapes that are a pleasure to inhabit. The Trust greatly appreciates this investment by Government in the heritage of our nation.”

John Acland expressed the commitment of the Historic Places Trust Board to deliver value for money in return for the Government’s investment, “The new investment will enable the Trust to carry out its functions and statutory responsibilities more effectively. The Trust will meet its accountabilities to the Government and the people of New Zealand and expend this funding wisely.”

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