Waitangi Treaty Grounds made first National Historic Landmark, UNESCO bid next

Thursday, 27 June 2019

Grant Robertson, Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, explains the significance of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds becoming a National Historic Landmark. (First published, June 27, 2019.)

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds has been made the country's first National Historic Landmark.

Now Waitangi leaders hope it will become the country's first UNESCO World Heritage cultural site.

Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Grant Robertson made the announcement at the treaty grounds – considered the birthplace of New Zealand – on Thursday.

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed at the treaty grounds on February 6, 1840.

Robertson said Waitangi was significant not only for the signing of the treaty in 1840, but all the events beforehand, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1835.

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Grant Robertson, the Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, made the announcement at Waitangi on Thursday.

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Waitangi Treaty Grounds was made made the country's first National Historic Landmark, with a celebratory event taking place in the wharenui at the upper marae.

The National Historic Landmark programme was established to help protect New Zealand's defining moments and the 'cornerstones of national identity', he said.

'The National Historic Landmark list means not only do we respect the past but we protect the future.'

He did not put a limit on how many places would become National Historic Landmarks, but said they had to go through a lengthy and intricate process for selection.

Robertson also would not specify any funding attached to the listing, but did acknowledge financial input would be needed.

The National Historic Landmark programme aimed to prioritise the Government's heritage conservation efforts, Minister for Māori Development Nanaia Mahuta said.

'This includes developing long-term risk planning and management to ensure these places are earthquake resilient and protected from other natural disasters as much as possible.'

Pita Tipene, the chair of the Waitangi National Trust, said he hoped Waitangi would become the country's first UNESCO cultural site.

He called on the Government to help support that bid, saying it would be fantastic if the Prime Minister could announce the success at Waitangi Day next year.

New Zealand has three World Heritage sites – Te Wahipounamu, Tongariro National Park and the Sub-Antarctic Islands – but they are all natural sites.

Robertson was not opposed to the idea, saying the National Historic Landmark listing would be an important first step if global protection was to be considered.

'New Zealand as a country has to recognise that this is a historic site before we can go to UNESCO,' he said.

Mahuta said Waitangi had a deep significance to New Zealanders.

'It's a place where we share a history – although checkered – it belongs to us all,' she said.