Heritage status for Stonefields
tuataua Stonefields, which are next to the disputed land at Ihuma¯tao in Auckland, have been granted Category 1 heritage status by Heritage New Zealand.
A Category 1 historic place is defined as ‘‘being a place of special or outstanding heritage significance’’. It was previously considered a Category 2 historic place.
Heritage NZ said it had received 1551 submissions on the matter, with many touching on the desire for the ‘‘historic place’’ to have long-term protection.
‘‘A range of opinions were expressed regarding the extension of the boundaries of the listed land – both for and against,’’
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga chief executive Andrew Coleman said. ‘‘Generally, though, the feedback in the submissions reflected strong awareness of the outstanding heritage significance of this place and the need to recognise these values accordingly.
‘‘Interest in the submission period was global, we received more than 100 submissions from New Zealanders living in Australia, there was even one submission formlondon.’’
A Heritage NZ spokeswoman said the new boundaries did encompass the Special Housing Area known as Ihuma¯tao but the new heritage status will not alter the status of the housing area or any existing resource consents.
Members of Save Our Unique Landscape (Soul) have been occupying Ihuma¯tao for the past three years in a bid to prevent 480 homes being built on the site.
Fletcher Building bought the land in 2016 for a housing development, but critics say it should be returned to Ma¯ori.
Soul claims the 33.8-hectare site was unjustly confiscated from mana whenua in 1863.
Top heritage status could expand its protected area boundary but it will not affect the current land dispute at Ihuma¯tao, protesters told Stuff in November.