MEDIA RELEASE
4 February 2005

City pushing for volcanic cones to have World Heritage status

Auckland City will lodge a submission with the Department of Conservation calling for the Auckland volcanic field to be nominated as a World Heritage site.

The submission follows the release of a discussion document, prepared by the Department of Conservation (DOC), listing six potential World Heritage sites in New Zealand.

The sites were selected on the basis that the country considers them to be of outstanding universal value. The Auckland volcanic field has not been included as one of the six sites identified in the document.

“The city strongly believes the Auckland volcanic field is significant site for the country, and indeed the world. It has enormous natural heritage value because of its unique geological formation and must be included on the list for consideration. We will not let our crown jewels be overlooked,” says Councillor Christine Caughey, Chair of the Environment, Heritage and Urban Form Committee.

A World Heritage site designation is considered a significant tourism draw-card. To qualify, proposed sites must have robust management and protection guidelines in place to ensure their condition will be maintained and or enhanced in the future.

DOC has called for comment on its six proposed sites, and invited suggestions for other locations which could be designated.

“Auckland and many New Zealanders will agree that the cones are special and worthy of such status. I urge these people to come forward and support our submission to DOC,” says Ms Caughey.

The city welcomes public support for its submission – people can email volcanic.cones@aucklandcity.govt.nz or post their comments to Community Planning, Auckland City, Private Bag 92516, Wellesley Street, Auckland.

“We will be making a strong push for the volcanic field to be recognised and make sure DOC has all the information it needs to give this special natural phenomena the recognition it deserves,” she says.

The Auckland volcanic field covers 360 square kilometres and contains about 50 volcanic features - 23 of these are within Auckland City’s boundaries.

The City will be lodging its submission with DOC before the deadline of 31 March 2005.

Ends

More information can be found at www.doc.govt.nz

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