April 26, 2018
Maori sites ideal for heritage landmarks programme
Maori sites in the South Island are being considered for the new Landmarks Whenua Tohunga progamme.
The programme is a joint initiative between Manatu Taonga the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
Two heritage sites in the Wakatipu, the historic Arrowtown chinese settlement and the Kawarau suspension bridge, were this week given Landmark status because of their significance to the country and the visitor experience they offered.
The Landmarks programme is a joint initiative between Manatu Taonga the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the Department of Conservation (Doc) Te Papa Atawhai and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
DOC Wakatipu-wai-Maori manager Geoff Owen says the department is talking to the several runanka with interests in the region about places that tell the Ngai Tahu story.
"There are some obvious places which would make good sense but recognising too it's not so much about an object for Ngai Tahu but it's about a special place and what that special place meant for our earlier people," he says.
Mr Owen says DoC is also working on telling the Ngai Tahu experience as part of the Te Wahi Pounamu world heritage area in the southwest corner.
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