Having Integrity Preserving Central Otago’s rich heritage means respecting and appreciating what’s gone before and keeping things real. It’s being open and honest about who we are and where we want to be, yet also acknowledging the complexities and contributions of the past. “When we talk about heritage I like to look at it from a landscape point of view and then in terms of the cultural layers that have gone across that. So, you’re looking at pre-Māori, Māori, European, pastoral farming and gold mining…to more recent activities such as viticulture and orcharding.” “It’s about describing that tapestry with integrity so that people can make an informed decision about how they propose to use that going forward.”
Archaeological Qualifications & Experience of Matthew Sole –Kopuwai Consulting
Archaeological assessment and monitoring specialising in Otago goldfield heritage.Thirteen years private consultancy experience in the preparation of archaeological assessment reports to inform archaeological applications toHeritage New Zealand (HNZ) consent (authority) process and for any work affecting pre 1900’s archaeological sites in the Otago region.Territorial Authorities where RMA Heritage provisions re: the protection of historic heritage from inappropriate use, and development is identified as matters of national importance (section 6f) are involved.Section 45 approved archaeologist under Heritage NZ Act 2014.Specialising in GPS recording and GIS spatial mapping with early and recent aerial geo referenced images to inform archaeological survey and comparative analysis in recording, assessment and reporting.Thirty three years’ experience exploring and recording archaeological goldfield heritage throughout Otago and Southland, with occasional forays into Canterbury and the Westcoast Heritage and trail site interpretationSignage, way finding brochures & information services relating to heritage, recreation and Central Otago endemic flora & fauna.
Nov2008 to current Established Kopuwai Consulting –specialising in
¨ Archaeological Assessment consultancy.
¨ Access negotiation and track development consultancy with community walking and cycling trail projects.
· Current contract archaeologist with Transpower for transmission tower line duplexing between Roxburgh to Livingston involving 436 towers and associated tower access.
· Archaeological survey, assessment, authority for Southland District Council Waikaia Forest harvesting. 2019 – ongoing.
· Supporting Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust in the heritage review of archaeological site in Central Otago. 2019 ongoing.
· Archaeological survey, assessment, authority for Central Otago Queenstown Trail Trust for Lake Dunstan Trail – Clyde via Bannockburn to Cromwell
· Archaeological contracts with Ernslaw One Ltd for staged assessments of forest compartments within Naseby Forest.
· Various archaeological surveys for mining operations – prospecting and mining in Otago.
· Land access negotiations with Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust
· Survey and manage track design and construction through archaeological sites via archaeological authority process and HNZ consenting body for Clutha
Gold Trail Charitable Trust.
· Monitoring, supervising and reporting on track work through heritage sites associated with Clutha Gold Trail Charitable Trust.
· Archaeological assessments for forest harvesting of Ladysmith Reserve – Roxburgh – Levart Enterprise and CODC
· Contract to DOC for assessment of Golden Point Historic Reserve – Macraes.
· Assisted Southern Pacific Archaeological Research SPAR in archaeological excavation of Barclays paddock early Maori fit pits and tool artefact scatters associated with Clutha Gold Trail.
· Contract to DOC Coastal Otago for Archaeological Assessment of Gabriel’s Gully Historic Reserve Goldfield mining water systems.
· Contract to prepare Teviot Valley Walkways Committee walk & heritage brochure.
· Contract to OPUS & CODC for Archaeological Assessment of gold workings on Sugar Loaf Terraces for community water reservoir resource consent.
· Contract for Archaeological Assessment of gold mining fabric Arthur’s Point C Streat.
· Contract to DOC for historic assessment of various high country Tenure Reviews – Obelisk.
· Contract for Archaeological Assessment Clyde Heritage Precinct site Tinker Rae & Dr Morice Section 15 -17 Sunderland Street for D & M Wither.
· Assisted Southern Pacific Archaeological Research SPAR in archaeological excavation of mining dwellings associated with hydro operation of Lake Roxburgh.
· Contracted to Clutha Gold Trail Charitable Trust for land access negotiation for 125 parcels of land required for 73 km walking and cycling trail between Lake Roxburgh Village and Lawrence.
· Negotiation of sixteen easements over private land for CGTT
Nov 2006 to Nov 2008 Project Manager –Contracted to Central Otago District Council
· Developed feasibility study for the Roxburgh to Lawrence cycle and walking trail with CODC District Development team.
· Project managed the development of an interpretative trail and kiosks celebrating 50 years of Roxburgh Hydro in partnership with local community, Contact Energy and CODC.
· Drafted an Outdoor recreation strategy for Central Otago.
· Developed pre feasibility study for walking cycling trail through Roxburgh Gorge.
Oct 2000 to Nov 2006 Programme Manager – Department of Conservation
Community Relations
· Heritage field assessments for various high country Tenure Reviews
· Prepared and managed various heritage site restoration projects for Serpentine Church; Golden Progress, Practcolus (Nevis), Come In Time Battery; Cairnmuir Hut, Potters No2.
· Prepared and assisted in Archaeological Assessments and supervised archaeological excavations.
· Brochure development, volunteer projects, field days. LOTC.
· Management of public information and conservation awareness via brochure development, site interpretation panels featuring biodiversity, heritage and recreation
Nov 1997 to Oct 2000 Programme Officer – Department of Conservation
Recreation and Historic Visitor Facilities
· Programme development and staff management for visitor and historic facilities
· Development of joint venture projects with local communities to restore/develop new visitor facilities and or historic structures
Nov 1996 to Nov 1997Conservation Officer, Recreation – Department of Conservation
· Management of recreational facilities, concessions, licences and easements
· Development and maintenance of the Central Otago Rail Trail and Otago Goldfield Park tracks and walkways. Historic site management.
Memberships
· Member of the New Zealand Archaeological Association
· Founding committee member of Central Otago Branch of the Historic Place Trust
Central Otago Value: Making A Sustainable Difference
The `mother and father to us all’ is how Matt describes our environment. It sustains and preserves us and we’re not looking after it well. He sees the need for robust conversations that go beyond sustainability to deliver resilience in what we do and how we do it.
“As an archaeologist I get to look at a lot of early photographs. I look at photographs of where I live and at the footprint and the changes we’ve made…and I just have grave concerns over the size and scale of that footprint and what we’re passing on.”
“I’m very, very uncomfortable about how we are borrowing forward at an incredible rate and depriving our future generations. It begs the question as to what sort of ancestors do we want to be remembered for?”
Kopuwai Archaeology 