The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is the lead agency for heritage issues, identifying and protecting sites of historic heritage value.
Heritage includes archaeological and historic sites such as battle-sites, shipwrecks, whaling stations and goldmines, as well as a large portfolio of heritage buildings and properties.
Māori heritage is intrinsic to our overall heritage sector. Together with Māori communities, the NZHPT provides advice, funding and training for the protection and management of historic pā and villages, rock art sites, wahi tapu and tāonga – treasures which make New Zealand’s cultural heritage so unique.
There are between 500 – 600 museums and galleries in New Zealand which care for more than 40 million items relating to our history and national heritage. Generating in excess of 1000 public exhibitions and publications, and attracting over 8 million visits each year, museums and galleries are currently ranked as the top attraction for New Zealand’s overseas visitors.
Many museums and galleries receive partial funding from local government. The Ministry also provides some contestable funding each year under the regional museums policy for capital construction projects.
