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Breach of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act

MEDIA STATEMENT
Thursday 22nd January 2015
For immediate release

Arrow is grateful the courts have recognised the company has acted in good faith despite its breach of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act.

Arrow was today discharged with a conviction after its contractor disturbed a heritage site without the correct prior authority being granted by Heritage New Zealand.

Judge Jane Farish today acknowledged Arrow’s “extraordinary” response both to mitigating any damage caused through the offence and to promoting the interests of Heritage New Zealand across the wider construction industry and the importance of compliance. Judge Farish noted the considerable investment Arrow had already made in education and industry training around heritage matters and the investment the company had committed to into the future.

The charge was laid in 2014 and relates to foundation excavations undertaken during the rebuild of a residential property in Redcliffs, situated on a site of interest to Heritage New Zealand.

“We take the protection of our national heritage very seriously. Regrettably, in this particular instance we failed to ensure that an application for authority to excavate, as part of a residential development, was lodged with Heritage New Zealand prior to any earthworks being undertaken,” says Tom Clisby, Director Arrow International.

“Arrow reviewed its policies and procedures at the time of the charge and has subsequently evolved the company’s best practice as it applies to archeological discovery and protection.

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“We have also been working closely with Heritage New Zealand, our environmental consultant, Opus International, and local iwi representatives to implement a number of initiatives developed to heighten the understanding within the construction industry of both the importance of archeological discovery to protecting our national identity and the requirements around the current legislation as they apply to construction operations. Our primary aim is to ensure that heritage and environmental issues are fully understood by contractors and appropriately respected throughout all construction operations.

“Mike Greer Homes has been very supportive of getting these initiatives up and running within the contractor community and have contributed to the implementation of these,” Clisby added.

Local Ngāi Tahu Rūnanga welcomes Arrow's commitment to industry leadership in heritage protection. Kopa Lee, on behalf of Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke, says "Arrow have genuinely taken responsibility and we are pleased that they are working with us to establish best practices to protect our taonga."

"Industry leadership is critical because there is so much happening at the moment and we only have one chance to do it right,” said Clare Williams, speaking on behalf of the Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga.

In addition to this Arrow, in collaboration with Heritage New Zealand, Opus, Mike Greer Homes and the University of Otago, are working to develop a Masters scholarship through the University’s Anthropology Department. The purpose of the scholarship is to further archeological knowledge and investigation opportunities arising out of the Christchurch rebuild.

ENDS

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