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Published on 04 November 2026
Waitaki District Council has been informed that the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith has deferred any decision on the National Historic Landmark proposal for Ōamaru Historic Town Centre and Port, a year after the proposal was submitted.
Mayor Mel Tavendale said, "We're disappointed with the decision to not progress with National Historic Landmark status for the Ōamaru Historic Town Centre and Port.
The proposal was developed over the last decade, a real community effort involving the Ōamaru Whitestone Civic Trust, Council and property and business owners in the area and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT).
The proposal was endorsed by HNZPT's Board and Maori Heritage Council over a year ago, following strong positive community feedback, and provided to the Minister as one of two potential new National Historic Landmark. We invited Minister Goldsmith to join us as we opened the Forrester Gallery earlier this year, but sadly he could not attend.
Ōamaru is home to the finest Victorian architecture and streetscape in New Zealand, attracts thousands of visitors and international film productions like Netflix's East of Eden. Recognition as a National Historic Landmark would confirm its special place as a living piece of the country's history.
After the elections, we will extend an open invitation to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage to visit our wonderful town and hope our National Historic Landmark proposal can be reconsidered in the near future"
Council would like to offer thanks to the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust and the many local property owners and advocates for our heritage for the many years of dedicated work on developing this proposal.
ENDS
media@waitaki.govt.nz