Heritage Policy Review 2018

Having a robust Heritage Policy is essential for Lower Hutt to identify, keep and celebrate its cultural and built heritage.

The Heritage Policy review presents a great opportunity for everyone to be involved in setting a path for the city’s cultural and built heritage that meets the needs of present and future generations. The review gives everyone the opportunity to increase the city’s cultural richness and attractiveness to residents, businesses and visitors. As residents we are all contributors and stewards of the city’s story. 

Survey results

Council ran a Heritage Survey from 9-26 November 2018 to understand people’s knowledge, appreciation and aspirations for our cultural and heritage resources.

View the Heritage Survey results (PDF 1.4 Mb)

Below is a summary of the responses.

Understanding 

• 45.9% of respondents have little or no knowledge of European history of Lower Hutt
• 65.5% of respondents have little or no knowledge of Maori history of Lower Hutt
• Two thirds of respondents (67.3%) know where to view and access heritage resources about the city’s past

Appreciation 

• There is a strong interest in the social history of the city; including settler history and their various ethnicities, and local Maori and settler personalities
• There is a significant lack of recognition Maori history and identities in the city and a desire for it to be enhanced
• A desire for more physical representation of stories and identities in the cityscape Petone, Jackson Street, local marae and pa sites, churches and the rivers/streams identified as being historically important
• Many respondents noted a lack of historic places or a significant loss of historic places throughout the city 

Engagement 

• Public events, signs and plaques were stated as ‘important’ or ‘very important’ in promoting Lower Hutt’s heritage
• 60% of respondents reported reading a book or article related to Lower Hutt’s heritage
• 13.8% of respondents reported playing a role in actively protecting or preserving the city’s heritage 

Creative and Planning Process

• 80% of respondents consider that the city’s stories should be physically represented in public spaces
• 77% of respondents think that heritage and cultural assets can attract people and businesses to a place or area
• 74% of respondents feel that the protection of historic buildings does not restrict the city’s economic growth; 14% feel that it does; 11% do not know
• 77% of respondents believe that a heritage identity enhances the value of a place or building
• 75% of respondents would like to see the city’s public areas better reflect the city’s identities and stories
• A significant majority consider that ‘education and revitalisation of cultural sites’ are important in increasing the public’s awareness and appreciation of the diversity of the city’s heritage  

Heritage Champions

• 94.7% of respondents consider that Hutt City Council is responsible for protecting and promoting the city’s heritage
• 68-83% of respondents think that property owners, community groups and central government are also responsible for protecting and promoting the city’s heritage 

Resilience 

• Approximately 80% of respondents consider ‘earthquakes and natural disasters’ and ‘lack of maintenance/deterioration’ as a significant or very significant challenge to the city’s historic buildings
• 54% of respondents consider the risk posed by historic buildings as not being suitable for modern uses is slightly significant or moderately significant
• Respondents stated that ‘a lack of public interest and knowledge’ and ‘poor physical representation in increasing the public’s awareness and appreciation of the diversity of the city’s heritage  

Open Days/Drop-in sessions

To understand people’s views in more detail, Council is hosting Open Days/Drop-in sessions at Council libraries. There will be drop boxes located at libraries, media engagement, hui at local marae and meetings with community groups and individuals with an interest in cultural and built heritage. 

Dates and locations 

More information

If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone about the Heritage Policy Review, please contact wendy.moore@huttcity.govt.nz