2 May 2018

Heritage fund eligibility widened for owners

To further promote the ongoing protection and future of significant historic and heritage sites, the Government has broadened the eligibility criteria of the National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund (NHPIF) that Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga administers on its behalf.

From 1 May, applications are open to all private property owners of places listed on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero, with the exception of historic areas.  This includes Category 1 and Category 2 properties, as well as sites of significance to Māori.  The closing date for applications to the $500,000 contestable fund is 16 July.

“We are particularly interested in receiving applications for the conservation of sites significant   to Māori, sites that support regional economic development and  those supporting seismic strengthening by assisting with a professional seismic assessment being undertaken,” says Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Chief Executive Andrew Coleman.

“The fund typically contributes up to 50 percent of the cost of conservation work, with grants not normally greater than $100,000.”

Conservation projects eligible for funding include stabilisation, repair or restoration to masonry, joinery, plaster or glazing, earthquake strengthening or fire protection of historic buildings; site stabilisation, repair, vegetation management or fencing of land and/or archaeological sites; and professional services including research, condition reports and conservation, management and risk management plans.

Examples of heritage places that have received NHPIF funding include the New Regent Street Shops in Christchurch; Whare Tane, an avant garde 1920s house built for prominent illustrator and cartoonist Trevor Lloyd in Auckland, and the Wellesley Hotel in Wellington.

“Priority is given to heritage places of national significance which need conservation work or where conservation work is planned and could be improved through extra funding,” says Mr Coleman.

“This fund is important in assisting private owners of heritage places. Their conservation of these places ultimately contributes to the social and historic well-being of all New Zealanders.”

More information is available on Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga’s website www.heritage.org.nz

 

For more information:

Geraldine Baumann
Legal Advisor
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
(w) 04 494 8041
(e) gbaumann@heritage.org.nz