Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern has generously released the notes of the speech, given on her behalf, by Hon Iain Lees-Galloway  to the Historic Places Aotearoa AGM 2018.

It’s a pleasure to be here today on behalf of the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, among so many passionate advocates for the heritage sector.
And what better location for discussing historic places than here at Caccia Birch House – a wonderful example of New Zealand’s regional heritage and a building that is steeped in the history of Palmerston North.

Winston Churchill once said “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us”.

I think this perfectly sums up our relationship to our built heritage in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Every historic site tells a story, and when seen together these stories form part of our collective idea about who we are as a nation.

I want to assure you today that this Government is taking heritage seriously. (more…)