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Reserves Act 1977

Classification and management of reserves - Classification and purpose of reserves

18: Historic reserves

You could also call this:

"Special protected areas that preserve New Zealand's history and natural environment"

Illustration for Reserves Act 1977

When you visit a historic reserve, you are seeing a special place that is protected by law. The law says that these reserves must be looked after to protect and preserve their historic, archaeological, cultural, and educational importance. You can visit these reserves, but you must follow the rules made by the people in charge of them, as well as any rules under sections 58 and 58A.

The people in charge of historic reserves must make sure that the structures, objects, and sites show the true history of New Zealand. They must also protect any special features like scenic, archaeological, geological, biological, or scientific features, as well as indigenous flora or fauna, or wildlife that are present on the reserve. The reserve's value as a soil, water, and forest conservation area must also be maintained.

The indigenous flora and fauna and natural environment of the reserve must be preserved as far as possible, unless the Minister decides otherwise. However, nothing can be done to harm fauna or wildlife that would break the Wildlife Act 1953, and nothing can be done to harm archaeological features that would break the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM444607.

Topics:
Environment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Town planningArts and culture > Heritage protection
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"Public parks and outdoor spaces for fun and nature"

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"Special protected areas for nature and beauty"

Part 3Classification and management of reserves
Classification and purpose of reserves

18Historic reserves

  1. It is hereby declared that the appropriate provisions of this Act shall have effect, in relation to reserves classified as historic reserves, for the purpose of protecting and preserving in perpetuity such places, objects, and natural features, and such things thereon or therein contained as are of historic, archaeological, cultural, educational, and other special interest.

  2. It is hereby further declared that, having regard to the general purposes specified in subsection (1), every historic reserve shall be so administered and maintained that—

  3. the structures, objects, and sites illustrate with integrity the history of New Zealand:
    1. the public shall have freedom of entry and access to the reserve, subject to the specific powers conferred on the administering body by sections 58 and 58A, to any bylaws under this Act applying to the reserve, and to such conditions and restrictions as the administering body considers to be necessary for the protection and general well-being of the reserve and for the protection and control of the public using it:
      1. where scenic, archaeological, geological, biological, or other scientific features, or indigenous flora or fauna, or wildlife are present on the reserve, those features or that flora or fauna or wildlife shall be managed and protected to the extent compatible with the principal or primary purpose of the reserve:
        1. to the extent compatible with the principal or primary purpose of the reserve, its value as a soil, water, and forest conservation area shall be maintained:
          1. except where the Minister otherwise determines, the indigenous flora and fauna and natural environment shall as far as possible be preserved:

              1. provided that nothing in paragraph (c) shall authorise the doing of anything with respect to fauna or wildlife that would contravene any provision of the Wildlife Act 1953 or any regulations or Proclamation or notification under that Act, and nothing in this subsection shall authorise the doing of anything with respect to archaeological features in any reserve that would contravene any provision of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014.

            Notes
            • Section 18(2)(b): amended, on , by section 19(2) of the Reserves Amendment Act 1979 (1979 No 63).
            • Section 18(2) proviso: amended, on , by section 107 of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 (2014 No 26).