Two more of Dunedin's heritage collections have gained Unesco recognition.
The Ng New Zealand Chinese Heritage Collection at the Presbyterian Research Centre at Knox College and the Salmond Anderson Architects Records at the Hocken Library have been added to the Unesco Memory of the World New Zealand documentary heritage register.
Unesco recognition draws attention to the significance of documentary heritage and the importance of ensuring it is preserved and made accessible.
The two Dunedin collections were among seven collections throughout the country that have just been added to the New Zealand register, bringing the overall total recorded there to 27.
The latest addition also brought to five the total number of collections from the Hocken Collections on the register.
The Memory of the World New Zealand Trust chairwoman Dianne Macaskill said the Salmond records was a first of its kind for the register.
These records included some that show the development of architectural trends and practices in New Zealand, spanning 150 years.
The Ng Collection contained an extensive and diverse range of papers, photos and oral histories, collected over the years by historian Dr James Ng and his wife Eva.
Hocken chief archives curator Anna Blackman said the Salmond records documented nearly 150 years (1862-2008) of architectural development in southern New Zealand.
The Ng collection had been gathered since 1959 by Presbyterian Church members Dr Ng and his wife.
Dr Ng said having the historical collection safeguarded was "just wonderful'' and a "relief'' for him and his wife.
