<h3>ICOMOS NEW ZEALAND</h3>
<h2>Charter for the Conservation
of Places of Cultural Heritage Value</h2>
<big>Preamble</big>
New Zealand retains a unique assemblage of places of cultural heritage value relating to its indigenous and its more recent peoples. These areas, landscapes and features, buildings, structures and gardens, archaeological and traditional sites, and sacred places and monuments are treasures of distinctive value. New Zealand shares a general responsibility with the rest of humanity to safeguard its cultural heritage for present and future generations. More specifically, New Zealand peoples have particular ways of perceiving, conserving and relating to their cultural heritage.
Following the spirit of the International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites (the Venice Charter 1966), this charter sets our principles to guide the conservation of places of cultural heritage value in New Zealand. It is intended as a frame of reference for all those who, as owners, territorial authorities, tradespersons or professionals, are involved in the different aspects of such work. It aims to provide guidelines for community leaders, organisations and individuals concerned with conservation issues. It is a statement of professional practice for members of ICOMOS New Zealand.
Each section of the charter should be read in the light of all the others. Definitions of terms used are provided in section 22.
Accordingly this charter has been adopted by the New Zealand National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites at its Annual General Meeting on 4 October 1992.
1. The Purpose of Conservation
The purpose of conservation is to care for places of cultural heritage value, their structures, materials and cultural meaning. In general, such places:
- have lasting values and can be appreciated in their own right;
- teach us about the past and the culture of those who came before us;
- provide the context for community identity whereby people relate to the land and to those who have gone before;
- provide variety and contrast in the modern world and a measure against which we can compare the achievements of today; and
- provide visible evidence of the continuity between past, present and future.
2. Indigenous Cultural Heritage