About Us

About Historic Place Aotearoa

Introduction to Historic Places Aotearoa.

Historic Places Aotearoa (HPA) is an independent non-governmental organisation representing heritage nationally to save it for our future. HPA represents many local and regional heritage organisations via an annual membership.

Aims in brief:

Be the lead non-statutory, independent national voice for heritage
Help preserve historic places in Aotearoa NZ for the benefit of present and future generations.
Lift awareness and appreciation of heritage values.
Help regional heritage groups promote heritage in their areas.

How We Operate

An executive runs HPA’s affairs. Delegates from each Member Organisation elect this executive biennially. Member Organisations have voting rights at HPA’s AGM.
HPA also works closely with ICIMOS with joint annual conferences. ICIMOS is the International Council on Monuments and Sites. www.icomos.org.nz
We liaise closely with Heritage New Zealand, the Ministry of Heritage Arts & Culture and key politicians to further our aims.

Our History

Before the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014, NZ Historic Places Trust had 23 local branch committees. The Act saw the Trust replaced by a Crown entity, Heritage New Zealand, and the Trust’s Regional Branch Committees were abolished.

HPA was formed in 2013 and now represents many of the former branch committees.

A message from our Patron

Dame Anne Salmond

“Aku mihi whanui ki a tatou katoa. Greetings to us all.

The founding of Historic Places Aotearoa is a turning point for New Zealand’s heritage. From this moment, there will be two powerful voices for the protection of historic sites and buildings in New Zealand. Heritage New Zealand, a Crown entity supported by government funding, is charged with upholding the Historic Places Act, and advancing the cause of heritage in New Zealand. Historic Places Aotearoa, a grassroots organisation that works outside of government, will be run by its members, and can advocate for historic sites and buildings without fear or favour. As two organisations dedicated to the same cause, Heritage NZ and HPA will almost always work closely together.

Historic Places Aotearoa signals a return to the original spirit of heritage protection in New Zealand. Citizens who care about ancestral sites and landscapes are getting together to look after them, and pass them on intact for future generations.

As someone who shares in this spirit, I am proud and privileged to serve as Patron of this new organisation. Nau mai, haere mai. Welcome to Historic Places Aotearoa.”