KEY POINTS:
A proposed new visitor centre at Waitangi has angered New Zealand's leading heritage agency which says the structure will be intrusive and would dominate the landscape near the historic Treaty Grounds.
The visitor centre and convention facility would be a stone's throw from the historic Waitangi Treaty House
and whare runanga.
New Zealand Historic Places Trust general manager (northern) Sherry Reynolds said the trust was concerned a structure of that size was being considered in the most significantly historic place in the country.
The proposed development was notified by the Far North District Council on March 5, and public submissions close on April 4.
"It would be very close to the iconic Treaty House, flagstaff and whare runanga built for New Zealand's centenary," Ms Reynolds said.
"We have already indicated to Far North District Council that we are unhappy with the location of the proposed building, which will dominate Waitangi's richly significant heritage landscape as well as views of Waitangi from Russell, Paihia and many other parts of the Bay of Islands."
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is in the process of preparing a submission opposing the proposed development and is urging New Zealanders to express their opinions through the submission process.
"This is not just a Northland issue," Ms Reynolds said. "Waitangi is a place that is special to all New Zealanders. It is one of the country's most significant heritage landscapes, and the place of our national origins.
"We want to draw people's attention to the proposed development, and encourage them to have their say urgently," she said.
While the trust accepted the need to generate income through a visitor centre and convention facility, it questioned the wisdom of building one in that location.
"This is one of the most important, intact and sensitive heritage landscapes in the country. It's certainly no place for a dominant structure like this.
"I'm sure there are other places within the Waitangi estate that would make excellent alternative sites for this building without having the same impact on the heritage landscape and the wider Bay of Islands," Ms Reynolds said.
The Government recently included the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in its tentative list for nomination as a World Heritage Site, and the scale and location of the proposed development may jeopardise that status.
A spokesman for the Waitangi National Trust told the Herald he wasn't aware of the trust's concerns and was reluctant to comment until he had heard them.
