Art Deco Napier among suggested World Heritage sites

Napier's Art Deco centre is one of six sites suggested for World Heritage status. Picture / Hawke's Bay Today

Six new sites around New Zealand have been suggested as possible World Heritage sites, Conservation Minister Chris Carter said today.

They include Napier's art deco historic precinct, Farewell Spit and Oamaru's post office.

Mr Carter wants public submissions before decisions are made and a list sent to the international World Heritage Committee.

"The problem is we are spoilt for choice," he said.

"A committee of officials led by the Department of Conservation has identified six locations for discussion but we would value the public's assistance in determining which of those we focus our efforts on."

The list is:
* The Kermadec Islands and marine reserve in the Southern Ocean;
* Kahurangi National Park and Farewell Spit, near Nelson;
* Napier's art deco historic precinct;
* Papamoa Pa complex near Tauranga;
* Oamaru's Post Office and the limestone buildings in the town's central business district;
* Waitangi Treaty grounds.

Mr Carter said a case for each of the suggested sites was set out in a discussion document published today, titled Towards a New Zealand Tentative List.

World Heritage status secures a commitment from the Government and the international community to the long-term protection of sites.

New Zealand currently has three World Heritage sites:

* Te Wahipounamu (Mt Cook/Aoraki, Westland/Te Tai Poutini and Fiordland National Parks and other conservation areas in the southwest);
* Tongariro National Park;
* New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands.

- NZPA