World heritage role for paramount chief

Tumu te Heuheu

The paramount chief of Ngati Tuwharetoa has been appointed chairman of one of the world's top conservation bodies.

Tumu te Heuheu is the new leader of the Unesco World Heritage Committee.

The committee chooses, funds and monitors the care of world heritage sites which include a gift from the chief's ancestor Horonuku Patatai (Te Heuheu Tukino IV), in the 19th century.

He gave Mts Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu to the Government in 1887 for New Zealand's first national park and the world's fourth.

The 2640ha gift has since expanded into a 79,598ha park. Tongariro National Park was listed as a world heritage area in 1990.

The Government yesterday congratulated Mr te Heuheu on his appointment.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said it was a milestone for Maori and marked history's coming full circle.

New Zealand has two other world heritage sites: South West New Zealand and the subantarctic islands. They are among the 830 sites on Unesco's world heritage list, which range from East Africa's Serengeti to the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America.

The appointment of Mr te Heuheu, of Taupo, was announced yesterday at a meeting of the committee in Lithuania.

New Zealand will host the next session of the committee, in Christchurch next July.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter said this would be a major event, drawing around 600 participants and observers from the 178 states that are parties to the World Heritage Convention.

"Having such a prominent New Zealander in the chair at the meeting will further enhance our country's profile."