Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga area manager Sarah Gallagher said the organisation was now working with 30 separate properties and eight owners to advance the Oamaru Historic Landmark proposal and was "delighted" by the response to date.
While the idea to bid for National Historic Landmark (NHL) status was formally made public late last year, work on the proposal had been ongoing for some time.
"Last November we presented about the proposal during the Oamaru Heritage Celebrations," Ms Gallagher said.
"This launched the proposal officially to the public after more than a year in planning and discussion with owners and other stakeholders.
"We were delighted with the response we’ve received from owners, leaseholders, tenants, Oamaruvians and visiting members of the public."
The NHL programme, Ngā Manawhenua o Aotearoa me ōna Kōrero Tūturu, officially recognises and highlights places of exceptional national heritage.
The treaty grounds are at this stage the only officially recognised site. A process for the National War Memorial in Wellington is under way.
Ms Gallagher said HNZ Pouhere Taonga was receiving letters of consent from Oamaru property owners.
It would then request consent from interested parties associated with those properties.
"We have also received several letters of support from organisations, businesses and groups to whom the historic area is significant.
"This information is all required for the proposal report."
Ms Gallagher said of the 30 separate properties it was working on within the NHL proposal, many had additional interested parties listed on their record of title. Those parties also needed to be consulted.
"We’re pleased to say that the engagement process has been very positive, with owners and stakeholders showing strong interest in being part of the NHL.
"A key focus for property owners has been understanding whether inclusion in the NHL would affect the level of protection on their property or introduce any new obligations.
"We’ve been able to reassure them that, since all the properties involved are already protected under the Waitaki District Plan and are recognised on the NZ Heritage List Rārangi Kōrero as historic places, their status remains unchanged."
Ms Gallagher said private owners of property recognised on the heritage list could access support through funding opportunities.
These included the National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund and the Waitaki Heritage Fund, plus other regional and national grants.
The general public would also get a say in the process.
"A call for public submissions will be announced later this year and this will be the opportunity for everyone to get involved and share their views on the proposal for recognition," she said.
Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust chairman Richard Vinbrux said it was "strongly in support".
Gaining the NHL was not meant to be a burden on individual property owners, but would give the entire area greater exposure nationally.
"It will add value just by the way of recognition.
