61 Oct 2021 OceanaGold WNP Project, Waihi - Archaeological / Heritage Assessment NRS The NRS will not directly impact on the Queen of Waihi Shaft (T13/971) but due to safety reasons, it will require backfilling and capping. Other, so far unidentified, subsurface relating to mining activities within areas of undergrowth or topsoil, may to be present and exposed as part of the proposed NRS. There are no known pre-European Maori sites within The TSF3. Maori Cultural Values This is an assessment of effects on archaeological values and does not include an assessment of effects on Maori cultural values. Such assessments should only be made by the tangata whenua. Maori cultural concerns may encompass a wider range of values than those associated with archaeological sites. The historical association of the general area with the tangata whenua is evident from the recorded sites, traditional histories and known Maori place names. OGNZL recognises the special relationship that iwi have with the land and the waterways, and that this relationship is important to spiritual and cultural wellbeing. OGNZL has had a consultation programme in place with iwi for many years covering the operating mine, the mineral exploration programme and new projects, and this is ongoing. Maori cultural values interests and associations with the project area, and the potential impacts of the Waihi North Project on these, will be identified through iwi led Cultural Impact Assessment’s. Survey Limitations It should be noted that archaeological survey techniques (based on visual inspection and minor sub-surface testing) cannot necessarily identify all sub-surface archaeological features, or detect wahi tapu and other sites of traditional significance to Maori, especially where these have no physical remains. Archaeological Value and Significance The Waikato Regional Policy Statement (RPS) identifies several qualities for evaluating the significance of historic heritage places. In addition, Heritage NZ has provided guidelines setting out criteria that are specific to archaeological sites (condition, rarity, contextual value, information potential, amenity value and cultural associations) (Heritage NZ 2006: 9-10). Both sets of criteria have been used to assess the value and significance of the historic places below. The archaeological value of sites relates mainly to their information potential. That is, the extent to which they can provide evidence relating to local, regional and national history using archaeological investigation techniques, and the research questions to which the site could contribute. The surviving extent, complexity and condition of sites are the main factors in their ability to provide information through archaeological investigation. For example, generally pa are more complex sites and have higher information potential than small midden (unless of early date). Archaeological value also includes contextual (heritage landscape) value. Archaeological sites may also have other historic heritage
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