Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
The Dunedin Heritage Fund provides financial assistance to support the protection, conservation, and continued use of heritage buildings and places in Dunedin. It is administered by Dunedin City Council in partnership with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
The fund encourages the long-term preservation and adaptive reuse of heritage assets that contribute to the city’s cultural identity.
Funding Purpose
The fund supports projects that:
- Preserve and protect historic buildings and sites
- Maintain and restore heritage fabric
- Enable continued use of heritage properties
- Improve public appreciation of heritage places
- Ensure compliance with modern safety and building standards
Eligible Project Types
Funding may be used for:
- Essential repair and maintenance of heritage structures
- Stabilisation and structural strengthening works
- Restoration of original architectural features
- “Like-for-like” replacement of heritage materials
- Upgrades to meet building codes and regulations
- Preparation of conservation management plans
- Emergency works to prevent further damage
- Protective works to safeguard heritage assets
Ineligible or Lower Priority Work
- Routine or ongoing maintenance activities (generally lower priority)
- Works not directly related to heritage conservation outcomes
- Projects without clear heritage value enhancement
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be:
- Owners or occupiers of heritage-listed or historic places
- Located within Dunedin
- Undertaking eligible conservation or restoration projects
- Able to demonstrate commitment to heritage protection
Assessment Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Historical and cultural significance of the property
- Contribution to heritage value preservation
- Public visibility and accessibility of the site
- Community benefit and engagement potential
- Urgency of required works
- Quality of conservation approach
- Level of private investment by the owner
Expected Outcomes
- Improved preservation of Dunedin’s heritage buildings
- Continued use and adaptive reuse of historic properties
- Increased public awareness of heritage value
- Enhanced structural safety and building longevity
- Strengthened cultural identity and urban character
Key Principles
- Conservation-first approach
- Protection of original heritage materials and design
- Encouragement of sustainable reuse of historic places
- Partnership between public funding and private investment
- Long-term safeguarding of cultural heritage assets
Why This Fund Matters
- Preserves architectural and cultural history
- Supports sustainable use of existing buildings
- Strengthens community identity and heritage awareness
- Prevents loss of significant historic structures
- Encourages investment in heritage conservation
Conclusion
The Dunedin Heritage Fund provides targeted support for conserving and restoring significant heritage places in Dunedin. By funding essential repair, restoration, and protection works, it helps ensure that historic buildings remain safe, usable, and valued as part of the city’s cultural legacy.
For more information, visit Dunedin City Council.