Nelson City Council

The Nelson Heritage Advisory Group (NHAG) provides a network linking heritage organizations, individuals with an interest in heritage and the council.  Members include the City of Nelson Civic Trust, the Boathouse Society, Tourism Nelson, Nelson Bays Arts Marketing, Broadgreen Society, Melrose Society, Beautiful Nelson Trust, National Council of Women, Nelson branch and other businesses and people wanting to conserve Nelson’s unique identity. Many other organizations attend the group’s quarterly forums.

The group was initiated by the council in 2002 to provide a better link between the heritage sector and the council at a time when amendments to the Resource Management Act made heritage a matter of national importance, and the Local Government Act elevated the status of environmental and cultural wellbeing.

The group’s objectives are:

• To advocate, support and encourage co-ordination of effort and resources, and partnerships, between heritage organisations, and individuals.
• To provide a forum for discussion between groups and individuals having an interest in heritage
• Without derogating from the autonomy of its members, to co-ordinate and provide to the Nelson City Council views and advice of its members on heritage matters.
• To advocate for the identification and of heritage items and values within the Nelson area, and for their conservation.
• To promote and encourage an understanding and acceptance of heritage as a part of Nelson’s identity.
• To advocate for and promote heritage opportunities and issues.
• To encourage community involvement and education in relation to heritage matters.
• To promote or carry out research and the collection, recording, and publishing of information supporting the objects of the Society.
• To encourage and/or support activity or work which fosters or develops the objects of the Society.
• To maintain an awareness of Government initiatives relating to heritage and to respond to changes or proposals as appropriate.

The group meets at least four times a year to share information and ideas. Everyone is welcome to attend and meetings are free. Information is distributed regularly to members and the community about issues and events. NHAG is happy to assist with queries about where to seek help and information relating to heritage.

Anyone interested in finding out more can call +64 3 546 9187.