(1)
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga may enter any historic place or historic area in the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero if it is satisfied that the place or area has aesthetic, archaeological, architectural, cultural, historical, scientific, social, spiritual, technological, or traditional significance or value.
(2)
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga may assign the status of Category 1 or Category 2 to any historic place, having regard to the nature of the places to which those categories may be assigned (as described in section 65(4)(a)).
(3)
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga may assign a status under subsection (2) only if it is satisfied that the place has significance or value in relation to 1 or more of the following criteria:
the extent to which the place reflects important or representative aspects of New Zealand history:
the association of the place with events, persons, or ideas of importance in New Zealand history:
the potential of the place to provide knowledge of New Zealand history:
the importance of the place to tangata whenua:
the community association with, or public esteem for, the place:
the potential of the place for public education:
the technical accomplishment, value, or design of the place:
the symbolic or commemorative value of the place:
the importance of identifying historic places known to date from an early period of New Zealand settlement:
the importance of identifying rare types of historic places:
the extent to which the place forms part of a wider historical and cultural area.
(4)
Additional criteria may be prescribed in regulations made under this Act for the purpose of assigning Category 1 or Category 2 status to a historic place, provided they are not inconsistent with the criteria set out in subsection (3).
(5)
The Council may enter any wāhi tūpuna on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero if it is satisfied that the wāhi tūpuna—
has strong traditional associations with 1 or more ancestors significant to an iwi or a hapū; and
is integral to the identity or cultural well-being of the iwi or hapū; and
is a distinct and cohesive place or area.
(6)
Additional criteria may be prescribed in regulations made under this Act for entering historic places or historic areas of interest to Māori, wāhi tūpuna, wāhi tapu, or wāhi tapu areas on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero, provided they are not inconsistent with the criteria set out in subsection (3) or (5) or in regulations made under subsection (4).