Historic Places Act 1993 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Historic Places Act 1993 |
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| New Zealand Parliament | |
| An Act— (a) To promote the identification, protection, preservation, and conservation of the historical and cultural heritage of New Zealand; and (b) To continue the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the New Zealand Historic Places Board of Trustees with the functions and powers necessary for the full and proper attainment of the objectives of this Act; and (c) To establish the Maori Heritage Council; and (d) To amend and consolidate the Historic Places Act 1980 |
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| Date of Royal Assent | 17 May 1993 |
| Related legislation | |
| Historic Places Act 1954, Historic Places Act 1980, Resource Management Act 1991, Historic Places Act 1993 | |
The Historic Places Act 1993 was a special law made by the New Zealand Parliament. It was created to help protect and look after New Zealand's amazing historical and cultural places. This law also clearly explained the job of Heritage New Zealand. This organisation works to find, protect, and record places that are important to New Zealand's past.
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What is an Act of Parliament?
An Act of Parliament is a law that has been officially approved by the country's government. In New Zealand, laws are made by the New Zealand Parliament. These laws help to organise how the country works. They cover everything from how schools are run to how historic sites are protected.
Why Do We Need Laws for History?
Laws like the Historic Places Act are super important. They make sure that special places from the past are not forgotten or destroyed. Imagine if old buildings, battlegrounds, or important cultural sites were just knocked down. We would lose valuable clues about how people lived long ago. Protecting these places helps us learn about our history. It also helps us understand where we came from.
Protecting New Zealand's Heritage
The main goal of the Historic Places Act 1993 was to keep New Zealand's history safe. It focused on several key areas:
- Finding and identifying historic places. This means figuring out which sites are important.
- Protecting these places from harm. This could be from damage or being built over.
- Preserving them for the future. This means keeping them in good condition.
- Conserving them. This involves careful management to make them last.
The Role of Heritage New Zealand
The Act officially continued the work of an organisation called the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Today, it is known as Heritage New Zealand. This group has a very important job. They are like the guardians of New Zealand's past. They work to identify, protect, and care for historic sites. This includes old buildings, archaeological sites, and even landscapes.
How Heritage New Zealand Helps
Heritage New Zealand does many things to protect history. They keep a national register of historic places. This list helps everyone know which sites are special. They also give advice on how to look after these places. Sometimes, they even help to restore old buildings. Their work ensures that future generations can enjoy and learn from these sites.
The Māori Heritage Council
A very important part of the 1993 Act was creating the Māori Heritage Council. This council focuses specifically on Māori heritage. Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. Their history and culture are a huge part of the country's heritage. The council helps make sure that Māori sites and traditions are respected and protected. They work closely with Māori communities. This helps to ensure that decisions about heritage are made in a way that honours Māori customs and values.
Building on Past Laws
The Historic Places Act 1993 didn't start from scratch. It actually built upon older laws. Before 1993, there was the Historic Places Act 1980 and even the Historic Places Act 1954. The 1993 Act updated and combined these previous laws. This made it stronger and clearer. It helped to make sure that New Zealand had the best possible rules for protecting its history. This shows how laws can change over time to become better.
Why History Matters to Everyone
Protecting historic places is not just about old buildings. It's about understanding our shared story. These places tell us about the people who lived before us. They show us how communities grew and changed. They can even teach us about important events. By keeping these places safe, we keep our history alive. This helps us to learn from the past and build a better future.
