Underground Overground Archaeology

Underground Overground Archaeology (UOA) is a New Zealand archaeological and heritage consulting firm. It provides specialist services mandated under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014, the Resource Management Act 1991, and the Protected Objects Act 1975, including archaeological appraisals, assessments, surveys, monitoring and excavation, buildings archaeology, and specialist analysis and reporting. The firm also offers heritage services such as heritage impact assessments, conservation plans, district plan reviews, built heritage assessments, and adaptive reuse strategies, as well as related services like heritage communication and design, archival services, property surveys, heritage carpentry, and property management. UOA traces its origins to New Zealand Heritage Properties (NZHP), which began in the early 2000s as a diversified company involved in archaeological and heritage consulting, property management, and redevelopment of character properties. In late 2014, the archaeological branch was separated into New Zealand Heritage Ltd (NZH), retaining the NZHP branding. In 2017, NZH purchased Christchurch-based Underground Overground Archaeology, keeping the UOA trading name. The company expanded to Invercargill in 2020 and to Wellington in 2024, and now operates from branches in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill. It serves private property owners, developers, national infrastructure providers, councils, territorial local authorities, businesses, and government agencies. UOA's mission is to understand, investigate, manage, and interpret New Zealand's heritage and archaeological resources on behalf of clients, Iwi, and other stakeholders. The firm is known for its expertise in pre-European archaeology, historical archaeology, buildings archaeology, architectural history and conservation, GIS-based modelling, mining archaeology, urban archaeology, and heritage interpretation and design. It is a private company under the NZH umbrella.

Underground Overground Archaeology (UOA) is a New Zealand archaeological and heritage consulting firm with roots in New Zealand Heritage Properties (NZHP), a diversified company founded in the early 2000s that specialised in archaeological and heritage consulting, property management, and the redevelopment of unique and character properties. In late 2014, the archaeological branch of NZHP was separated into its own entity, New Zealand Heritage Ltd (NZH), which retained the NZHP branding and continued to be closely aligned. NZHP itself began undertaking major redevelopment projects in Dunedin's Warehouse precinct, while NZH grew steadily, increasing its employee numbers and extending its reach. In 2017, NZH expanded by purchasing the Christchurch-based firm Underground Overground Archaeology. The UOA branding and trading name were retained, and the two offices—one in Dunedin and one in Christchurch—operated as distinct but increasingly aligned entities. In 2020, NZH opened another branch in Invercargill to serve the lower South Island. In 2024, NZH further expanded into Wellington to service North Island projects under the Underground Overground Archaeology umbrella. Today, UOA operates from four national branches: Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill. The company's mission is to understand, investigate, manage, and interpret New Zealand's heritage and archaeological resources on behalf of clients, Iwi, and other stakeholders, delivering efficient and professional services while enhancing knowledge of New Zealand's past. UOA's team includes experts in pre-European archaeology, historical archaeology, buildings archaeology, architectural history and conservation, GIS-based modelling and risk management, heritage building reuse and development strategies, mining and mining-related archaeology, urban archaeology, and heritage interpretation and design. The firm serves a wide range of clients, including private property owners and developers, national infrastructure providers, councils and territorial local authorities, large-scale developers, businesses, and government agencies.

• 2024

  NZH expanded into Wellington under the Underground Overground Archaeology umbrella.

• 2020

  NZH opened a branch in Invercargill to serve the lower South Island.

• 2017

  NZH purchased Christchurch-based Underground Overground Archaeology, retaining the UOA branding.

• 2014

  Archaeological branch of New Zealand Heritage Properties separated into New Zealand Heritage Ltd (NZH).

Leaders in heritage and archaeological consulting services in New Zealand, offering nationwide coverage and a large team of specialists.

• Archaeological appraisals

• Archaeological assessments

• Archaeological survey

• Monitoring and excavation

• Buildings archaeology

• Specialist analysis and reporting

• Heritage impact assessments

• Conservation plans

• District plan reviews

• Built heritage assessments

• Adaptive reuse strategies and business cases

• Heritage communication and design

• Archival services

• Property surveys and due diligence research

• Heritage carpentry

• Property management

• 2026-10-16

  UOA wins awards at the 2026 PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards[6]UOA在2026年PropertyGuru越南地产奖中获奖vir.com.vn

  Reported: 2026-10-20

  UOA was named Sustainable Commercial Developer at the 2026 PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards and also received three other accolades. UOA Parc Tower received Best Office Development and Best Office Interior Design, while Komune received Best Flexible Workspace.

1. 1UOAunderoverarch.co.nz
2. 2Our Story — UOAunderoverarch.co.nz
3. 3Heritage Services — UOAunderoverarch.co.nz
4. 4Archaeological Services — UOAunderoverarch.co.nz
5. 5Underground Overground Archaeologywikidata.org
6. 6UOA在2026年PropertyGuru越南地产奖中获奖vir.com.vn