Kaikōura’s Bid For World Heritage Status Gathers Momentum

Thursday, 22 May 2025, 5:40 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Marine research could provide a catalyst for achieving world heritage status for Kaikōura, community advocates say.

Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura (Kaikōura’s marine guardians) first mooted the idea of making a bid for Unesco’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage list 20 years ago.

Now Te Korowai secretary Gina Solomon and committee member Mel Skinner want to organise a research hui to find out what is happening and where the gaps are.

The Kaikōura District Council has identified the potential for marine research to provide economic benefits for the town.

A business case for the future development of South Bay Harbour was completed in July 2022, thanks to funding from the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund.

It identified Kaikōura as having the potential to become an international hub for marine research and education - if it could get the funding.

Chief executive Will Doughty has said the council is keen to attract marine researchers from New Zealand and overseas, but it lacks the funding to support it.

He said the council is keen to partner with Government and other agencies to support marine education and research.

Mrs Skinner said achieving world heritage status would likely make Kaikōura more attractive as a research destination, and gathering momentum will help to get the bid across the line, she said.

‘‘We need to be able understand what is going on here and to create more of a research focus.

‘‘We don’t necessarily need the bricks and mortar now, but with the aim of eventually having the facilities in the future.

Ms Solomon said Kaikōura has long been considered ‘‘the world’s seabird capital’’ by scientists.

But locals often had little understanding about their local bird life, she said.

‘‘Often we think of seagulls as a nuisance, but they are an important part of the eco-system.

‘‘Have some targeted research would help to improve our understanding of what we have.’’

The University of Canterbury used to have a research facility in Kaikōura, which it was damaged in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016.

World heritage sites are landmark locations protected by an international treaty administered by Unesco.

Kaikōura’s world heritage journey began in 2004 when it was first included in a tentative global list of 304 sites.

Te Korowai was established by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura in 2005 and successfully lobbied both local and central government for marine protections.

The Kaikōura Marine Strategy was published in 2012 and the Kaikōura (Te Tai o Marokura) Marine Management Act passed into law two years later.

The legislation established the Kaikōura Marine Area, which comprises the 10,416 hectare Hikurangi marine reserve, a 4686ha whale sanctuary, five customary management areas, a fur seal sanctuary and restricted fishing areas.

The Kaikōura district’s international dark sky sanctuary status, obtained in September, also boosted to the district’s case.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

© Scoop Media

Local Democracy Reporting

Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.