Official Information Request - Heritage sites

Sent: Wednesday, 23 February 2022 1:54 pm
Subject: Official Information request - Heritage sites

I refer to your Official Information request of 30 January 2022 regarding heritage sites in the Rotorua district, and respond below as per your email:

How many historic heritage sites in your district are not currently listed by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga?

The Operative Rotorua District Plan identities historic heritage within three separate schedules, these being:

• Historic Structures Schedule – this is predominantly buildings but also includes items such as horse troughs and stairs, that have heritage values;
• Historic Sites Schedule - this includes areas such as Government Gardens and the Pohutu Geyser;
• Sites and Areas of Significance to Maori (which includes a Structures and sites of cultural significance Schedule and Marae).

We’ve focused the answers to your questions on the historic structures. There are 55 historic structures identified in the District Plan, of these 17 are listed with Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga.

How many of the historical heritage sites identified above (not listed by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga) are private residence (houses)?

Do heritage sites that have been identified by the local community require the agreement of the landowner in order to be protected?

Historic Structures are identified when the District Plan is reviewed which typically is once every 10 years. Where a site is identified as a heritage building the land owner must be notified and they have the ability to submit and appeal the scheduling of the site. In practise there would normally be significant consultation with a land owner prior to this occurring. There is however no requirement for the land owner to give their agreement.

Are there any specific rules for owners of private residences, identified as historic heritage sites, in regards to controlled or permitted activities?

Yes – there are a number of rules which have regard to the maintenance, repair, alterations and addition of historic heritage structures (relevant rules are HERE – see HH-R1 – R3)

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. The Ombudsman’s Office can be contacted by calling 0800 802 602, emailing info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, online at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.

Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests

Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters’ personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz

Regards