Lyttelton is to become the first town in New Zealand to be officially recognised as an historic area.
The Historic Places Trust will prepare a report, summarising Lyttelton's history and its registration should be completed by next June.
The Lyttelton Information Centre Trust Board nominated the town to be a registered historic area because they were worried it was in danger of being commercialised.
The Historic Places Trust has no regulatory or legal powers to protect the area. Only local authorities can protect heritage sites.
