As climate change impacts are increasing and significant weather events are occurring with greater frequency, archaeological sites are being damaged and lost as a result of disaster events.
NZAA, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and the Department of Conservation jointly contribute to, and support , the New Zealand Archaeological Site Recording Scheme. In the spirit of that agreement the three organisations are partnering in a pilot project to update archaeological information, record baseline condition data and assist communities to monitor and record change, and to make management recommendations to reduce the loss of sites.
As a result of the severe weather events and States of Emergency that were declared in Tāirawhiti (Gisborne District), the pilot project will be located within the rohe of Te Aitanga a Hauiti in the vicinity of Uawa/Tolaga Bay. The boundaries of the project will be set in agreement with Te Aitanga a Hauiti.
The pilot project will be led by Heritage New Zealand. NZAA members are invited to contact Vanessa Tanner if you would like to be involved in fieldwork as a volunteer. Fieldwork is planned to commence in the week beginning 6 May 2024. Please note that the project coordinators are seeking archaeologists experienced in archaeological survey, recording and assessment to volunteer for the project. Contact Vanessa at vtanner@heritage.org.nz if you would like to volunteer.
