Seek help from heritage advisors - it’s often free

If your strengthening project involves a heritage building, your council may have a heritage adviser who can help. Heritage New Zealand is also a valuable source of heritage buildings expertise.

Heritage New Zealand is the leading national historic heritage agency. They maintain the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero, which identifies New Zealand’s places of significant and valued history and culture. 

Heritage New Zealand has specialist advisors who can give expert assistance on heritage conservation issues, including resource management. 

What Heritage New Zealand can do for you:

• Help you understand the heritage value of your building and what you should be trying to protect
• Confirm whether your building is on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero 
• Give you a copy of the List Entry Report which summarises the information that Heritage New Zealand holds about your place
• Give expert assistance on heritage conservation issues relating to strengthening
• Help you to plan your proposed works to maintain and enhance the building’s heritage significance
• Work with you and the council on the heritage conservation requirements under its district plan.

This assistance will help develop the concept scope for your project. You can use this when you engage architects and engineers to create concept designs.

Heritage New Zealand offices – Heritage New Zealand website

Most councils have a list of heritage buildings in their District Plan schedules. Some councils have heritage advisors (also often free) to turn to once you’re ready to start designing your project.

List of council websites – Local Government New Zealand website