Heritage Building FAQs

What is a heritage building/item?

The Ruapehu District Plan defines heritage buildings as buildings and sites that contribute to an understanding and appreciation of New Zealand's history and culture. It may include a historic building, historic site (including archaeological site), a place/area of significance to Māori, or heritage landscape.

The importance of each heritage item is assessed and assigned a category to reflect their relative importance. Each heritage building is assigned a category of either A, B or C, with A being the highest significance and C being of the lowest significance heritage items.

How do I find out if a building is listed as a heritage building?

Ruapehu District Council has a schedule of buildings and items which are considered to be of historical significance to the District. These can be found in Appendix 4 of the District Plan, which also includes the category assigned to the building.

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) holds a register of all listed historic buildings, sites and other items. This register is available on the Historic Places Trust website.

What do I have to consider when planning work to or around heritage buildings?

Outside general maintenance work to the building, most other work on Class A and B items requires resource consent from Council. Class C buildings do not require consent, as they have been listed for information purposes only.

In addition to the relevant rules within the appropriate zone, all Class A and B buildings are subject to the Rules within the Heritage Chapter of the Ruapehu District Plan.

In addition, NZHPT is regarded as an affected party to all Resource Consent applications on Class A and B items.

If you are considering work on any heritage building, please contact Council before work begins.