Maritime heritage

What is maritime heritage?

People have lived in and used our coastal environment since Māori first settled in New Zealand 7-800 years ago. We enjoy a rich maritime heritage that contributes significantly to the character of the coastal environment, and to the identity of the region.

 

 

Our maritime heritage includes:

• historic buildings, wharves and jetties
• shipyards
• places associated with Māori settlement and tradition
• lighthouses and beacons
• seawalls, coast defence installations
• shipwrecks and hulks.

ARC role in conserving maritime heritage

The Auckland Regional Council, together with the Department of Conservation, has prime responsibility for managing the use, development and protection of places of cultural or historical value in the Coastal Marine Area (CMA). The CMA includes the foreshore, the sea bed, the sea surface and the air above the sea out to the territorial 12 mile limit.

We undertake research to identify and record significant historic places in the coastal environment. Records of this maritime heritage are held in the Cultural Heritage Inventory (CHI) database, and are used by the council when assessing the potential affect of a resource consent application. CHI information can also be obtained by prospective applicants to assist in the preparation of a consent application.

Places of regional or national significance are scheduled for preservation or protection in the Auckland Regional Plan: Coastal. There are currently 94 places included in the schedules.

We are progressively preparing conservation plans to assist with the integrated management and conservation of scheduled heritage places.

View a list of maritime heritage sites.