Heritage interpretation in New Zealand: Research informing practice in changing times

Abstract

A range of challenges confront the heritage management sector in New Zealand, the result of changes experienced at various scales (global and local) and at different velocities (sudden and gradual). Key among these changes are declining bio-diversity; a growing social ‘disconnect’ with nature; a risk-averse culture; ubiquitous digital technologies; environmental change; and natural disasters. Such ‘changing times’ represent both challenge and opportunity for those working in heritage interpretation, and underscore the need for collaboration between researchers and practitioners to produce meaningful responses to these phenomena and to provide empirical evidence to support the value of the heritage management sector. This paper traverses these themes, drawing on examples of research informing practice in the New Zealand heritage interpretation context.