WORLD HERTIAGE STATUS CONCEPT

 

WHAT IS WORLD HERTITAGE STATUS?

World Heritage is the designation for places on earth that are of Outstanding Universal Value to Humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.

Why Kaikoura?

Kaikoura is a place of Outstanding Universal Value. Kaikōura is an incredible place that is multidimensional unlike any other place in the world. From a 360-degree spherical perspective from the earth core, the tectonic plate boundary, the makeup of our mountains, our sky (both night and day), our land, our ocean (from the surface to the deepest depths of the canyon), the ocean floor and back to what lies beneath to the core.

On the horizontal axis, we capture our previous taonga species, our people, culture, arts, and stories.

 

Why look at World Heritage?

  • World Heritage, both working towards and achieving, celebrates the incredible mahi so many people in our community undertake, with majority doing voluntarily.

  • Achieving World Heritage Status conserves our natural environment, shares our cultural history, creates social cohesion, and increases economic outcomes.

  • Through having a natural environment central to our economic and social wellbeing, allows Kaikōura to thrive and grow, with everything balance.

Kaikōura History with World Heritage - World Heritage 2006 Tentative List

The Kaikōura Canyon and Mountains was recognised as having strong potential in the 2006 Report, but due to limitations, did not advance on to New Zealand’s Tentative List at that time.

·       Lack of any marine and coastal protected areas

·       Lack of enough protected lowland of high natural character, linking any eventual marine/coastal protected areas with the extensive conservation lands on the Seaward Kaikōura Range

·       The fragmented nature of marine planning and management, making it more difficult to ensure the sustainable management of Kaikōura’s fisheries and marine mammals.

As UNESCO World Heritage does not govern or put in place legislation, levels and measures of protection must put in place at community, local and central government level.  

 Achievements towards world hertiage status since 2006

Since 2006, the following achievements have been

·           2008 Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park

·           2012 Kaikōura Marine Strategy published.

·           2014 Kaikōura (Te Tai o Marokura) Marine Management Act passed.

·          The Act established: Te Whata Kai o Rakihouia i Te Tai o Marokura - Kaikōura Marine Area, comprising of: the 10,416 hectare               Hikurangi marine reserve (prohibiting mining, fishing, or harvesting), a 4,686 hectare whale sanctuary (with seismic restrictions),             a fur seal sanctuary, five mataitai reserves and Taiapure-local fisheries.

This creates more protection around Kaikōura’s natural environment, and hence better places in a position to achieve world heritage status.