The New Zealand Sealing Industry - Department of Conservation

ut all of the group 1 localities should be monitored regularly to detect
fossicking, and mitigative action taken when it occurs. This may take the form
of recording what is possible from disturbed archaeological deposits, or where
the deposits are under serious threat, organising salvage excavation. A similar
monitoring regime should be instituted at group 2 localities, but cannot be
considered a high priority for localities in the remaining categories.
Almost all of the places identified in this study have amenity values independent
of their association with the sealing industry, principally because of their
natural heritage status or associations with other historical events. In most
situations this is likely to enhance site protection, but the possibility that these
other values might conflict with preservation of sealing heritage cannot be
ignored. In view of the very small number of places that can be confidently
associated with the sealing industry, it is proposed that consideration of this
aspect of heritage should take precedence over other amenity values.
7.4 OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERPRETATION
Remote location limits the potential for on-site interpretation of sealing sites to
a wide audience. The greatest opportunities would seem to exist at four of the
Group 1 and 2 localities. Grono Bay is well located to take advantage of existing
tourist traffic in Doubtful Sound, and the Denton’s Hut site at Port William is
right on a major Stewart Island walking track. As already noted the harbours at
Luncheon Cove and Southport are well-frequented. In these, and any other
cases, careful consideration needs to be given to balancing the positive value of
interpretation against the increased threat to site integrity that it might
encourage in these remote localities.
8. Conclusion
The sealing industry brought a significant number of both temporary and
permanent residents to New Zealand shores in the late 18 th and early 19 th
centuries. With only a few exceptions, the places where these sealers operated
and lived have not been well known. Detailed analysis of both historical and
archaeological information has been employed to redress this. Careful
examination of the available data shows that only six specific historic places
associated with this industry can be identified with certainty, while another six
can probably be added after further archaeological examination. A further 18
localities have less certain or precisely locatable associations with the sealing
industry. Recommendations for heritage management have been prioritised to
reflect the significance of the small number of places that can be confidently
related to this industry.
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