We have a variety of important heritage places reflecting our rich and varied cultural history.
Tasman’s heritage includes places of significance to tangata whenua iwi, archaeological sites, buildings, protected trees and more.
History and our heritage provides us with a connection to the past and contributes to our understanding and appreciation of New Zealand’s history and cultures. The Council, along with iwi, other organisations and community groups have an important part to play in the management and protection of the District’s historic heritage. We do this by:
It's part of our job to make sure heritage resources are cared for.
We must recognise and protect historic heritage from inappropriate subdivisions, use and development under the Resource Management Act 1991 and through other legislation.
The main way of doing this is through listing heritage resources in the District Plan and controlling use and development around the heritage resource. This ensures that the heritage resource endures for the community and future generations to enjoy and treasure.
A list of heritage buildings, trees and cultural sites currently protected by the District Plan can be found in Chapter 16, Schedules 16.13A to 16.13C.
Heritage is not static, it can be lost, altered or even “discovered” as time passes. We regularly review the list and welcome the community to nominate additional historic heritage resources not currently identified in the District Plan.
Any one or more of the following criteria need to be met for a building or structure to be listed.
The building, object or area has a strong association with significant people or events or is important as a reflection of social patterns of its time.
The building, object or area is a notable example of a particular style, architecture, or period, or display, craftsmanship, artistry and technology of intrinsic interest or, by virtue of its design, conforms to a past or present sense of beauty.
Individual buildings, objects or areas that combine to form an area of community importance, or historical or architectural merit. Items within the group need to be of significance in themselves, but their significance is such that their loss or change would diminish the significance of the group.
The building, object or area makes an important contribution to the identity of the neighbourhood or road in which it is sited by virtue of its situation, silhouette, bulk, colour or texture.
The building, object or place is of archaeological or scientific importance.
TRMP Summary Guide No 08 - Management of Heritage Items and Areas.pdf (pdf 1.1 MB)
Historic heritage is vulnerable to development - demolition, relocation or modification can often destroy important values for ever.
Archaeological sites are particularly vulnerable to land disturbance with sites often under the surface of the land. For this reason, historic heritage sites are protected in the District Plan.
There are various ways in which heritage items are protected in the District Plan.
Heritage buildings tend to have restrictions around alteration and removal; heritage trees tend to have restrictions around earthworks, pruning and removal; and archaeological sites tend to have restrictions around earthworks within a certain distance.
In addition to the provisions in the District Plan, special permission is also required to modify a pre-1900 archaeological site under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014.
Rules in the Tasman Resource Management Plan safeguard our significant trees from damage.
Before pruning or carrying out development within the root zone of a protected tree you need to contact us. We can provide advice and grant approval if appropriate.
For tree removal or major pruning works you may have to apply for resource consent. In some circumstances, we may waive the consent fees.
While most owners value their listed trees, we do receive complaints about poor management of trees from time to time. If you breach rules you could receive an infringement fine, or for serious breaches, be taken to the Environmental Court.
A simple but effective way of caring for your tree is to look after its roots. A tree with healthy roots is more resistant to pests and diseases.
You can improve conditions for roots by applying a layer of good quality organic mulch on the ground within the 'drip line' of the tree. This will also reduce the effects of climatic stress on the tree.
Damage to protected trees is relatively simple to prevent but once done is extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to rectify.
A lot of damage to trees can occur during property development works. We strongly recommend discussing your site development plans with a professional arborist and Council staff before any work begins.
If you wish to propose a new historic heritage item for inclusion on the district plan list you can do so by emailing your suggestion to [email protected]
You can find additional information of heritage sites in Tasman on the following websites.
Te Ara - section on the Nelson Tasman region
