Top Hat Heritage is an archaeology consultancy based in North Canterbury, New Zealand. Top Hat was established in 2020 by Matt Hennessey. Matt is a university trained historian and archaeologist with over 11 years experience in Canterbury Heritage.
Top Hat undertakes heritage and archaeological projects including heritage property appraisals, archaeological authority applications, and archaeological fieldwork. Top Hat Heritage specialises in recording historic cottages and other buildings.
Remember, under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 it is the responsibility of the landowner to establish if a property was occupied prior to 1900 before conducting any earthworks or demolitions. This is where Top Hat Heritage can help!
Services
In New Zealand the main legislation that controls archaeology and heritage is the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014.
The Act defines an archaeological site as any place in New Zealand, including any building or structure (or part of a building or structure), that—
- was associated with human activity that occurred before 1900 or is the site of the wreck of any vessel where the wreck occurred before 1900;
and - provides or may provide, through investigation by archaeological methods, evidence relating to the history of New Zealand.
It is illegal to modify an archaeological site without an Archaeological Authority (a heritage resource consent) issued by Heritage New Zealand.
If your property was lived on or otherwise used prior to 1900, or it includes a building that was built prior to 1900, then it may qualify as an archaeological site and is automatically legally protected under the Act.
Bottle pit found in Rangiora.
Remember, under the law it is the responsibility of the property owner to determine the history of the property and if an archaeological authority is required.
How Top Hat Heritage can help
With over 11 years of experience in Christchurch and Canterbury archaeology Top Hat Heritage has the knowledge and expertise needed to navigate the legal framework and produce positive results for your project.
Top Hat Heritage services include:
- Property heritage appraisals, quick pieces of research to determine the history of a property.
- Full archaeological assessments and Archaeological authority applications.
- Archaeological fieldwork.
- Archaeological Reporting.
- Compliance advice.
- Heritage management plans.
- Project management.
- Site damage reports.
Recording a 19th century cottage in Christchurch.
Top Hat Heritage specialises in recording 19th century cottages and other buildings built prior to 1900.
Why Us
Top Hat Heritage is operated by Matt Hennessey. Matt is a born and bred Cantabrian from Rangiora, North Canterbury.
Matt has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (first class) in anthropology from the University of Otago, graduating in 2007, and over 11 years’ archaeological experience in Christchurch and North Canterbury.
Top Hat Heritage brings:
- Over 11 years of heritage and archaeological experience in Canterbury,
- Over 180 professional archaeological reports submitted to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga,
- Strong understanding of the heritage legislation,
- Experience working with Heritage New Zealand and local rūnanga,
- Heritage project management,
- Ability to record historic buildings,
- Ability to undertake all aspects of a job from conception to completion,
- Passion for history and historical research!
Matt excavating a 19th century bottle pit in Rangiora.
Matt has worked on many high-profile projects throughout Christchurch, Kaiapoi, and Rangiora including:
- The demolition and make-safe of the CDB red zone,
- Deconstruction of the Canterbury Provincial Chambers,
- Working with SCIRT on the repair of the city’s horizontal infrastructure,
- ‘The Terrace’ redevelopment by Antony Gough,
- Restoration of the historic Rose Chapel on Colombo Street,
- Rebuild of the historic Lyttelton Timeball station,
- Construction of the SH1 Christchurch Northern Corridor,
- Reconstruction of the historic Lyttelton red scoria retaining walls,
- and many more.
Pricing
It is difficult to estimate the total cost of an archaeological job without having all the details of the proposed works.
An archaeological authority issued by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga will usually come with a set of conditions that must be met. Typically this will include:
- That an archaeologist is present during all earthworks on an archaeological site,
- That any subsurface deposits that are found are archaeologically recorded,
- If you are demolishing a building constructed prior to 1900 the authority will include the condition that the building is recorded prior to, and during, its demolition,
- That any artefacts discovered during the works are analysed,
- And that a final report detailing the archaeological work is submitted to Heritage New Zealand.
As a base, Top Hat Heritage charges a consultancy rate of $80 / hour. A simple site appraisal can be done for as little as $300 + costs. The costs for a full assessment, standover monitoring, or building recording, will depend on the size of the property and the works required by the project.
To keep costs as low as possible it is a good idea to engage an archaeologist early in your project and sort out a work plan that keeps archaeological requirements to a minimum.
