AARON GILMORE (National) to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage: What assistance is the Government providing to assist with the repair, restoration, and strengthening of heritage and character buildings in the Canterbury region?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage) : Last Friday the Government announced that it would contribute up to $10 million in addition to local funding to assist with the repair, restoration, and strengthening of heritage and character buildings in the Canterbury region.
Aaron Gilmore: Why is the Government providing assistance with the repair, restoration, and strengthening of heritage and character buildings in the Canterbury region?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Those buildings are an important part of the region’s character and history. The earthquake caused significant damage to many of these buildings. The cost of their repair and restoration will be considerable, and it is appropriate that the Government assists with local rebuilding and strengthening efforts in order to preserve that history. The Canterbury community places a high value on its heritage and character buildings. The Government shares that view, and it will encourage further donations through its provision of matching funding for regional heritage repairs dollar for dollar up to a maximum of $10 million.
Hon Steve Chadwick: Thank you for that contribution to heritage buildings--
Mr SPEAKER: There should be just a question, not a comment.
Hon Steve Chadwick: Is he satisfied that building owners and interested parties will be appropriately consulted on any decision arising from the Order in Council process related to heritage in Christchurch?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: I thank the member for her thanks; it is gratefully appreciated. Yes.
Hon Members: Mr Speaker.
Mr SPEAKER: Well--
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: I have answered the question succinctly, which is, I know, a novelty.
Mr SPEAKER: I apologise. I hear what is going on.
Rahui Katene: Does the council’s definition of heritage buildings include marae, as ancestral marae are by definition the embodiment of a community’s heritage; if so, what assistance will be made available for marae repair and strengthening?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Officials from the ministry are currently working with the local councils in Canterbury and the Historic Places Trust to establish relevant criteria for applications to access the funds that the Government is going to make available. Those criteria have not yet been finalised.
Rahui Katene: What consultation has there been with mana whenua throughout Ōtautahi to seek guidance about the repair, restoration, and strengthening that will be required of their special heritage and character buildings?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Decisions on the repair, restoration, and strengthening of the special heritage and character buildings in Canterbury will be made by members of the Canterbury community, not by central government. Although it is not an area of ministerial responsibility, I note the close and constructive earthquake recovery engagement between local councils and representatives of Ngāi Tahu.
Aaron Gilmore: Why is the Government providing assistance with the repair, restoration, and strengthening of heritage and character buildings in the Canterbury region?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Those buildings are an important part of the region’s character and history. The earthquake caused significant damage to many of these buildings. The cost of their repair and restoration will be considerable, and it is appropriate that the Government assists with local rebuilding and strengthening efforts in order to preserve that history. The Canterbury community places a high value on its heritage and character buildings. The Government shares that view, and it will encourage further donations through its provision of matching funding for regional heritage repairs dollar for dollar up to a maximum of $10 million.
Hon Steve Chadwick: Thank you for that contribution to heritage buildings--
Mr SPEAKER: There should be just a question, not a comment.
Hon Steve Chadwick: Is he satisfied that building owners and interested parties will be appropriately consulted on any decision arising from the Order in Council process related to heritage in Christchurch?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: I thank the member for her thanks; it is gratefully appreciated. Yes.
Hon Members: Mr Speaker.
Mr SPEAKER: Well--
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: I have answered the question succinctly, which is, I know, a novelty.
Mr SPEAKER: I apologise. I hear what is going on.
Rahui Katene: Does the council’s definition of heritage buildings include marae, as ancestral marae are by definition the embodiment of a community’s heritage; if so, what assistance will be made available for marae repair and strengthening?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Officials from the ministry are currently working with the local councils in Canterbury and the Historic Places Trust to establish relevant criteria for applications to access the funds that the Government is going to make available. Those criteria have not yet been finalised.
Rahui Katene: What consultation has there been with mana whenua throughout Ōtautahi to seek guidance about the repair, restoration, and strengthening that will be required of their special heritage and character buildings?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Decisions on the repair, restoration, and strengthening of the special heritage and character buildings in Canterbury will be made by members of the Canterbury community, not by central government. Although it is not an area of ministerial responsibility, I note the close and constructive earthquake recovery engagement between local councils and representatives of Ngāi Tahu.
