Heritage attractions

While New Zealand is still a relatively young country, the wealth of accessible heritage attractions will keep history enthusiasts thoroughly entertained. From historic cottages, sprawling mansions and breweries, to old hotels, Victorian cities and Art Deco towns—New Zealand’s heritage has been preserved and protected to give you a glimpse into its past. In the far north, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are a lesson in early New Zealand history (both Maori and European). In Auckland, grand old homes showcase the finer side of colonial life. Napier captures the glamour and architectural freedom of the 1930s, while Wellington invites you to take a look at old Government Buildings, including the largest wooden building in the southern hemisphere. The South Island’s heritage sites encompass the hardship of the gold rush days, the glamour of high society and the day-to-day toil of pioneer farmers. You can visit everything from a pit-sawn pioneer cottage to New Zealand’s only castle, built by an eccentric Dunedin banker in the 1870s.