Built Heritage

Buildings, structures and objects in the district that are identified as having heritage significance are designated in the District Plan and on the Heritage New Zealand List.

Planning controls governing the district's designated heritage items are set out in Chapter 9 of the District Plan.

Funding opportunities for heritage building owners

Heritage EQUIP, part of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, provides funding and advice to earthquake strengthen heritage buildings. The Heritage EQUIP website contains information about the central government funding criteria and how to apply for funding. The table below summarises the Heritage EQUIP funding opportunities: 

	Individual Buildings		Multiple Buildings
What's available?	Professional Advice Grants	Upgrade Works Grants	Professional Advice Grants	Upgrade Works Grant
	Up to 50% of the cost	Usually up to 50% of the costs, sometimes 67%	Up to 67% of the cost	Usually up to 50% of the costs, sometimes 67%
	Max. $50,000	Max. $400,000	Max. $30,000 per building	Max. $250,000 per building
Privately owned buildings (buildings that are not owned by public or charitable entities)
Eligible Buildings	Heritage New Zealand Category 1 and 2 listed buildings only	Heritage New Zealand or District Plan recognition	At least one building must be Heritage New Zealand Category 1 or 2 listed	Heritage New Zealand or District Plan recognition
	Regional buildings in medium or high seismic risk areas	Located nationwide	Regional buildings in medium or high seismic risk areas	Regional buildings in medium or high seismic risk areas

The Council's Heritage Grant Fund provides financial assistance to building owners in the town centre to undertake external facade enhancement works. To qualify, buildings must be listed in the District Plan. Exceptional circumstances may be considered where works would offer clear heritage benefits. The Heritage Grant Fund does not fund earthquake strengthening works.

Heritage Information – Useful Links

• Visit Whanganui for heritage information including the Whanganui Heritage Guide.
• Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust
• Heritage New Zealand
• Ministry for Heritage and Culture
• Wanganui Heritage Study - Volume 1 - Study
• Wanganui Heritage Study - Volume 2 - Register
• Queens Park management plan
• Southcombe McClean and Co Ltd and McGregor Consulting. Queens Park accommodation study