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Site Recording Scheme

history | interpretation of data | are there sites on your property? | file keepers | download Site Record Form | site numbers equivalents and types | disclaimer 

History

In May 1958 the establishment of the New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA) Site Recording Scheme was approved at the NZAA Annual Conference at Wanganui. The first handbook, which explained the Site Recording Scheme to contributors and users, was published soon after. The handbook, fourth edition (1999) is out of print but is now available electronically through this website.  <<handbook>>

The New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA) Site Recording Scheme is a national system for recording information on archaeological sites. It is a paper-based record system. Information is provided to the Site Recording Scheme by many different individuals and organisations as their contribution to a co-operative venture. The Site Recording Scheme currently contains over 55,000 records.

A separate file of records is kept for each of twenty filing districts and duplicates of all records are deposited in a Central File. Records may contain plans, section drawings, photographs, artefact drawings, and field notes. There is a computerised database of key information (CINZAS - Central Index of New Zealand Archaeological Sites) which serves as an index to the paper records. The Site Recording Scheme is endorsed by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the Department of Conservation and has been described in a review (1996) by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment as “a database of major national significance”.

The Site Recording Scheme was established as a special interest database, and its primary use for many years was as a research tool for members of NZAA. Since the advent of the Resource Management Act 1991 (the RMA) and the revised Historic Places Act 1993 (the HPA) there has been greater use of the Scheme in planning and legal issues for site identification, protection and management. Territorial local authorities are one of the principle users of the Scheme in their ongoing land and heritage management and protection roles.

Download Site Record Form

Funding

The New Zealand Archaeological Association and Department of Conservation are the main contributors to the cost of running the Site Recording Scheme. The Central File and CINZAS are currently maintained and operated by Science and Research Division, Department of Conservation, under an agreement with the New Zealand Archaeological Association. There are varying arrangements relating to the maintenance of the district files but a significant amount of voluntary labour is provided by NZAA members.

Benefit to users

The New Zealand Archaeological Association Site Recording Scheme is the major repository of information about archaeological sites and is an essential tool for both research and management purposes. Knowing ‘what is where’ is central to historic resource management. The Department of Conservation, New Zealand Historic Places Trust, territorial local authorities, Iwi/hapu, and the general public uses information from the system. 

Interpretation of data from the New Zealand Archaeological Association Site Recording Scheme 

The New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA) Site Recording Scheme was established in 1958 to encourage the recording of information about archaeological sites. The Site Recording Scheme was established as a special interest database, and its primary use for many years was as a research tool for members of NZAA. Since the advent of the Resource Management Act 1991 (the RMA) and the revised Historic Places Act 1993 (the HPA) there has been greater use of the Scheme in planning and legal issues for site identification, protection and management. Territorial local authorities are one of the principle users of the Scheme in their ongoing land and heritage management and protection roles.

Archaeologists inspecting a loopholed blockhouse - a relic of the land wars - near Wanganui.

The Site Recording Scheme is a paper-based record system that may contain plans, section drawings, photographs, artefact drawings, and field notes. CINZAS (Central Index of New Zealand Archaeological Sites) is an electronic index to the paper records. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the Department of Conservation endorse the Site Recording Scheme as the national record system for archaeological sites. The Site Recording Scheme currently contains over 55,000 records.

Information from the Site Recording Scheme is available to members of the public. A fee may be charged for searching the files, extracting relevant information, and photocopying.

Records have been contributed by many different individuals and agencies over many years and so vary in quality and in the level of detail offered.

Information is provided on the strict understanding that the New Zealand Archaeological Association and any person associated with the Site Recording Scheme shall not be held liable in respect of any errors or omissions from the data provided. While reasonable care has been taken in compiling the information, the New Zealand Archaeological Association and the Department of Conservation make no warranty or representation, express or implied, with regard to the accuracy, completeness, or utility of the data. The New Zealand Archaeological Association and the Department of Conservation explicitly disclaim any responsibility for any loss or damage incurred due to any use made of the information.

The following features of the data should be noted:

•  A grid reference gives the location of a site, but it does not delimit its extent. The location of sites is usually only recorded to within about the nearest 100 metres but the accuracy may in some cases be less than this.
•  The absence of data for any particular area should not be taken to mean that it contains no archaeological sites. It may mean that no archaeological survey has been carried out, or that sites were obscured at the time the survey was done. In any given area there may be any number of undiscovered or unrecorded sites.
•  Some recorded sites may no longer exist. (They may, for example, have been destroyed since they were recorded.)
•  Historical (European period) archaeological sites, in particular, are currently under-represented in the Site Recording Scheme.
•  Not all sites recorded in the Site Recording Scheme are archaeological sites in terms of the Historic Places Act 1993. They may, for example, post-date 1900 or no longer be able, through investigation by archaeological methods, to provide evidence relating to the history of New Zealand.
•  The formal evaluation of site significance is not a function of the Site Recording Scheme.
•  While some archaeological sites may also be considered wahi tapu, the Site Recording Scheme is not specifically concerned with such places. If information about wahi tapu is required, it should be obtained from the relevant Iwi/hapu.
•  Information about burial sites will, in some circumstances, be withheld.

For many purposes, an inspection by a qualified archaeologist will be required. Information from the Site Recording Scheme is not a substitute for this.

A plot of recorded pa sites. Courtesy Tony Walton.

Are there archaeological sites on your property?

Are there archaeological sites on your property? You can check whether archaeological sites have been recorded on your property by contacting your local district filekeeper of NZAA. Filekeepers are listed below. filekeepers

There may also be unrecorded archaeological sites on your property. You could employ an archaeologist to carry out a survey of your property to identify any unrecorded sites. This can be a good idea if you are planning property development that could affect archaeological sites, such as residential subdivision or forestry establishment.

You may also wish to determine whether other types of historic heritage places are listed on other inventories or registers such as in district plans or the New Zealand Register of Historic Places.

Why is an archaeological survey necessary? It is important to determine early in the development process whether there are any archaeological sites on the property. It is best if sites are not damaged by development as they are a finite resource and an important part of our heritage. If archaeological sites are taken into account early on in the planning process they may be able to be avoided. If avoidance is not possible, certain steps must be taken. This is because work affecting archaeological sites is controlled by a consent process administered by the NZ Historic Places Trust, and sometimes also through District and Regional Plans administered by the territorial local authority.

The provisions of the Historic Places Act relating to the protection of archaeological sites apply to all archaeological sites (as defined by the Act). So, even if an archaeological site has not been recorded within the NZAA Site Recording Scheme, the provisions of the Historic Places Act may still apply.

For many purposes, an inspection by a qualified archaeologist will be required. Information from the NZAA Site Recording Scheme is not a substitute for this as up to date information on the nature, extent, condition, and significance of the site will usually be required. 

It may be advisable to commission an archaeological survey by an archaeological consultant to determine whether:

•  a given piece of land contains site(s);
•  to make recommendations regarding the site(s);
•  and to provide information for the development planning process. 

NZAA members who are available to provide archaeological services on a consultancy basis are listed here. 

What do you do if there is an archaeological site on your property? Many landowners in New Zealand are looking after archaeological sites on their properties through careful land management. Some territorial local authorities provide financial assistance to landowners for this purpose. With appropriate stock control many sites can be preserved and grazed as part of farms. Some sites have been excluded from planting and are part of forestry blocks. Other sites are in public reserves and can be visited. If you have a site on your property and you would like assistance with how best to look after it the NZAA and NZ Historic Places Trust can assist with further advice.

If you have a site on your property and you are planning work that could affect it, such as earthworks, tracks, forestry or building, then steps need to be taken to determine the nature, extent, condition, and significance of the site and if the proposed development will impact on it in any way. 

If the site cannot be avoided, then a formal consent under the Historic Places Act will be required. Usually this is granted subject to mitigation through documentation of the site before or during development. In some circumstances, sites are considered to be particularly significant and it is recommended that they be protected. The requirements of the Resource Management Act also need to be fulfilled. Recent amendment of the Resource Management Act has elevated historic heritage (including archaeological sites) to a matter of national importance. 

What happens if an archaeological site is found during the course of development? Every effort should be made to identify sites prior to development but, the unexpected discovery of archaeological remains is possible. Once discovered, work must stop to avoid further damage and the NZ Historic Places Trust must be notified immediately. The Trust will then advise what steps may be required and whether a consent will need to be obtained. 

If in doubt, you may choose to apply for a consent from the NZ Historic Places Trust prior to work beginning on the basis that archaeological remains may be present. This will help prevent work being delayed.

NZMS 260 Site numbers equivalents and site types 

The MS Excel file downloadable here (3.6MB) contains the NZMS 1 site numbers and equivalent NZMS 260 site numbers and the CINZAS site types, current as at January 2006.  Note sites with only new numbers are not included.

From the spread sheet you can look up site types from numbers and find number equivalents between the old numbers and the new and can look up site types from the old numbers.

 

Disclaimer These notes are provided solely for general information purposes. The New Zealand Archaeological Association expressly disclaim any liability to any person arising directly or indirectly from the use of this material or anything done or omitted in reliance of this material or any information contained in it. The New Zealand Archaeological Association strongly recommends that specialist advice is sought from the NZ Historic Places Trust.

Filekeepers:  

People requiring information about archaeological sites should contact the regional filekeeper as below. Direct contact helps to improve the service we are providing and helps sustain the currency of the information in the files.