Historic Places Act 1954 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Historic Places Act 1954 |
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| New Zealand Parliament | |
| An Act to make provision for the preservation and marking of places and things of national malik or local historic interest and the keeping of permanent records in relation thereto. | |
| Date commenced | Immediate |
| Amendments | |
| 1963, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1976 | |
| Related legislation | |
| Historic Places Act 1980, Resource Management Act 1991, Historic Places Act 1993 | |
| Status: Repealed | |
The Historic Places Act 1954 was an important law passed by the New Zealand Parliament. This law created a special group called the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Its main job was to find, protect, and keep records of places and things in New Zealand that were important to history.
This group is now known as Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. It continues the important work of looking after New Zealand's heritage.
Contents
What Was the Historic Places Act 1954?
The Historic Places Act 1954 was a special law. It was designed to make sure that important historical sites and objects in New Zealand were not lost or forgotten. Think of it as a way to protect the country's past for future generations.
The law helped to identify places that had a special story or meaning. These could be old buildings, battlefields, or even natural sites with historical importance. The Act made sure these places were looked after and remembered.
Why Was This Law Important?
Before this Act, there wasn't a dedicated group to protect New Zealand's historic places. The 1954 Act changed that. It gave the New Zealand Historic Places Trust the power to:
- Preserve: This means to keep historic places safe from damage or being destroyed.
- Mark: To put up signs or markers to show where historic events happened or where important sites are.
- Record: To keep detailed notes, photos, and information about these places. This helps people learn about them.
This law helped New Zealand value and protect its unique history. It made sure that important parts of the past would be there for everyone to see and learn from.
Protecting Historic Sites
One of the first places to be protected under this Act was the Pencarrow Head Lighthouse. This lighthouse stands at the entrance to Wellington Harbour. It was added to the historic register in 1959. This happened when the lighthouse turned 100 years old.
Being on the register means a place is officially recognised as historically important. It then gets special protection. This helps to make sure it stays safe for many years to come.
What Happened Next?
The Historic Places Act 1954 was a starting point. Over the years, new laws were made to improve how New Zealand protects its heritage. These include the Historic Places Act 1980 and the Historic Places Act 1993. These newer laws built on the ideas of the original Act.
Today, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga continues the work started by the 1954 Act. They help to protect thousands of historic places across the country. This includes Māori cultural sites, old buildings, and archaeological areas.
