A total of 462 items have been included in the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Heritage’s new registry of heritage items. 

These items include historic artefacts, structures, and land, and the registry is now open for public consultation; the interim registry includes details of the items’ date of creation, location, and name. 

A provision stipulating that such a registry be established is included in the ministry’s draft bill on preservation of heritage items.

The criteria set out in the draft bill is broad enough to include archaeological findings, buildings, crafted items, paintings, archives, books, writing, and other objects with historic value.

The draft provisions the establishing of a ‘Cultural Heritage Protection Agency’ which will set out 'tiers' under which the items are allocated.

The draft bill was opened for public consultation last week.