The disputed land at Ihumātao has been granted the highest level of heritage recognition.
Later this morning Heritage New Zealand will announce that it has extended the borders of the Ōtuataua Stonefields reserve in Māngere to include the controversial whenua.
The new area will also have its status increased from category two to category one - the highest listing available.
The decision is largely symbolic and won't of itself prevent any building development on the whenua or bring the long-running conflict to an end.
Susie Ferguson speaks to Pania Newton from Save Our Unique Landscape.
