What the official record says
This Act is the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act . This Act comes into force on . The purpose of this Act is to promote the identification, protection, preservation, and conservation of the historical and cultural heritage of New Zealand. All persons performing functions and exercising powers under this Act must recognise— the principle that historic places have lasting value in their own right and provide evidence of the origins of New Zealand's distinct society; and the principle that the identification, protection, preservation, and conservation of New Zealand's historical and cultural heritage should— take account of all relevant cultural values, knowledge, and disciplines; and take account of material of cultural heritage value and involve the least possible alteration or loss