OIAD-3813
13 March 2024
Cameron Waugh
[FYI request #25761 email]
Tēnā koe Cameron
Thank you for your request to the Department of Conservation (DOC), received on 17
February 2024, in which you asked for:
Could you please provide me with the reasons behind both the restriction on
archaeological information and the limitations on public access to the ruins in
Waipoua Forest? Additionally, I am keen to learn about any specific protocols or
regulations governing access to archaeological findings in New Zealand, particularly
those pertaining to Waipoua Forest.
We have considered your request under the Of icial Information Act 1982 (OIA).
We have interpreted the ‘ruins’ as Papatia, which encompasses a stonework network within
Waipoua. Papatia is not on DOC land, it is on Te Roroa lands. We suggest contacting Te
Roroa on permission and protocols for accessing their whenua.
We have no current knowledge of any archaeological site on conservation land or waters
where information is embargoed or withheld.
The Waipoua Forest reports, including that of Michael Taylor’s from 1988, are publicly
available from the Joan Maingay Collection in the Whāngarei Public Library and can be viewed
online a
t: ht ps://whangarei.recollect.co.nz.
If you would like to discuss this response with us, please Stephen Soole, Kauri Coast
Operations Manager, by email t
o [email address] .
Nāku noa, nā
Sue Reed-Thomas
Regional Operations Director, Northern North Island
Department of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
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