Guidelines for heritage government buildings
In 2004 the government agreed to establish a policy for best practice for places of historic heritage value owned by government departments.
The Ministry has engaged 4 Decades Conservation to work with departments to develop guidelines for the conservation and maintenance of these historically important sites. The guidelines will be individually tailored to suit the needs of each department.
It is expected that this process will be completed in September 2005.
Legislative Amendments Underway
The select committee considering the Historic Places Amendment Bill has reported back to Parliament and the Bill awaits its final stages through the House. The amendment seeks to enhance the Historic Places Trust's governance and accountability and defines the process for making submissions in registration proposals.
Amendments to the Antiquities Act 1975 in the form of the Protected Objects Amendment Bill have been introduced in to the House and referred to select committee. Submissions to the select committee closed on 20 May. A key purpose of this Bill is to enable New Zealand to accede to international conventions on the import and export of cultural objects.