Protected areas of New Zealand

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West Matukituki Valley and the Matukituki River seen from Cascade Saddle in Mount Aspiring National Park Matukituki valley.jpg
West Matukituki Valley and the Matukituki River seen from Cascade Saddle in Mount Aspiring National Park

Protected areas of New Zealand are areas that are in some way protected to preserve their environmental, scientific, scenic, historical, cultural or recreational value. There are about 10,000 protected areas, covering about a third of the country. The method and aims of protection vary according to the importance of the resource and whether it is publicly or privately owned. [1]

Contents

Nearly 30 percent of New Zealand's land mass is publicly owned with some degree of protection. Most of this land – about 80,000 square kilometres (31,000 sq mi) – is administered by the Department of Conservation. There are 13 national parks, [2] [3] thousands of reserves, [4] 54 conservation parks, [5] and a range of other conservation areas. [4]

The department also manages 44 offshore and coastal marine reserves. [6] Any development in Coastal Marine Areas, which extend up to the mean high water spring mark and up to a kilometre up rivers, require a resource consent under the Resource Management Act. [7]

History

The Māori people of New Zealand have a tradition of declaring a rāhui to restrict access to or exploitation of resources.

Governor Hobson (in office 1840–1842) had instructions from the United Kingdom Home Secretary John Russell for the setting aside of some Crown land in New Zealand: "reserved, for the use of the public at large, all tracts which are likely to be required for purposes of public health, utility, convenience, or enjoyment." [8]

The Public Reserves Act 1854 allowed the Crown to grant public-utility reserves to provinces. The Public Domains Act 1860 covered domains in Auckland and Wellington and allowed the Governor of New Zealand to buy other land. [9] These powers were further extended by the Public Reserves Act 1877, the Public Reserves Act 1881, the Public Reserves and Domains Act 1908, the Public Reserves, Domains and National Parks Act 1928, and the Reserves and Domains Act 1953. [10]

The Reserves Act 1977 superseded previous acts. [10] [11] The 1977 Act, together with the Marine Reserves Act 1971, National Parks Act 1980 and Conservation Act 1987, established New Zealand's modern conservation system. [1] [6]

National parks

Southern beech forest on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park Nothofagus NZ.png
Southern beech forest on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park

The National Parks Act 1980 provides high protection significant areas known as national parks. [12] These areas provide a habitat for many rare plants and animals, and a place for walking, mountain climbing, boating, snow sports and other forms of recreation. [3]

The first national park, Tongariro National Park, is one of the ten oldest national parks in the world, and has its origins in the gifting of land for a protected area in 1887. [13] It was formally established as a national park in 1894 [3] and is now a World Heritage Site. [14] Te Urewera National Park, established in 1954, was disestablished in 2014 when Te Urewera was returned to the Tuhoe people. [15] [16] As of 2015, there are 13 national parks covering a combined 25,000 square kilometres (9,700 sq mi). [3] [2]

Marine reserves

The Marine Reserves Act 1971 protects several marine areas around New Zealand known as marine reserves. [6] In these areas there is a complete ban on fishing, and on removing or disturbing marine life. [17]

The first marine reserve, Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve, was established in 1975. [6] As of 2015, there are 44 marine reserves covering 9.5 percent of its coastal waters within 12 nautical miles of the coast. [6]

Reserves

The Department of Conservation administers several types of reserve under the Reserves Act 1977: [11]

Conservation areas

Aorangi Forest Park, a conservation park Aorangi Forest Park, New Zealand (6).JPG
Aorangi Forest Park, a conservation park

The Department of Conservation administers several types of conservation areas under the Conservation Act 1987: [4]

Ecological islands

Whakaari / White Island, an island reserve White Island 2013.jpg
Whakaari / White Island, an island reserve

The Department of Conservation and private trusts operate ecological islands as protected habitats for endemic and native New Zealand species.

Locally protected areas

Many areas are protected and administered by local government:

Internationally protected areas

There are ten areas in New Zealand protected by international law:

Other protected areas

Other protected areas include many public and privately-owned wetlands.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National parks of New Zealand</span> Wikimedia list

The national parks of New Zealand are protected natural areas administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC). The first national parks established in the country were all focused on mountain scenery. Since the 1980s the focus has been on developing a more diverse representation of New Zealand landscapes. The parks are all culturally significant and many also contain historic features. Tongariro National Park is one of the World Heritage Sites that are of both cultural and natural significance, while four of the South Island national parks form Te Wahipounamu, another World Heritage Site. There are currently 13 national parks; a 14th, Te Urewera National Park, was disestablished in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Department of Conservation (New Zealand)</span> New Zealand government agency

The Department of Conservation is the public service department of New Zealand charged with the conservation of New Zealand's natural and historical heritage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Urewera National Park</span> Former National park of New Zealand

Te Urewera National Park was a national park near the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, established as such in 1954 and disestablished in 2014, when it was replaced by a new legal entity and protected area named Te Urewera. The park covered an area of approximately 2,127 km2 and was located in the north of the Hawke's Bay region of the North Island. It was the largest of four national parks in the North Island and the most isolated rainforest in the region.

This is a timeline of environmental history of New Zealand. It includes notable events affecting the natural environment of New Zealand as a result of human activity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine reserves of New Zealand</span>

New Zealand has 44 marine reserves spread around the North, the South Island, and neighbouring islands, and on outlying island groups. They are governed by the Marine Reserves Act 1971 and administered by the Department of Conservation with assistance from the Ministry of Fisheries, New Zealand Customs and the New Zealand Defence Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Urewera</span>

Te Urewera is an area of mostly forested, sparsely populated rugged hill country in the North Island of New Zealand, a large part of which is within a protected area designated in 2014, that was formerly Te Urewera National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve</span>

Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve is a 5.5 km2 (2.1 sq mi) protected area in the North Island of New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reserves Act 1977</span> Act of Parliament in New Zealand

The Reserves Act 1977 is an Act of Parliament passed in New Zealand. It is administered by the Department of Conservation

Hawea Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 411 hectares in Hāwea / Bligh Sound, in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island Marine Reserve</span>

Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island Marine Reserve or Campbell Island / Moutere Ihupuku Marine Reserve is a marine reserve around Campbell island in the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve</span>

Westhaven Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 536 hectares in the Whanganui Inlet at the top of New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 1994 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

Kahukura Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 464 hectares in Charles Sound, in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve</span> Marine reserve in Fiordland, South Island, New Zealand

Kutu Parera Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 433 hectares at Gaer Arm in the Bradshaw Sound of Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taumoana (Five Finger Peninsula) Marine Reserve</span>

Taumoana Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 464 hectares in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation. It is located next to the Five Fingers Peninsula, at the entrance to Tamatea / Dusky Sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound) Marine Reserve</span>

Te Tapuwae o Hua Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 3,672 hectares in Te Awaroa / Long Sound in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm) Marine Reserve</span> Marine reserve in New Zealand territorial waters

Moana Uta Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering the entire length of Wet Jacket Arm in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island, an area of 2,007 hectares. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island) Marine Reserve</span> Marine reserve in New Zealand territorial waters

Taipari Roa Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 613 hectares around Elizabeth Island, in the inner Doubtful Sound / Patea of Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

Te Hapua Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 449 hectares of Te Hāpua / Sutherland Sound, in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Awaatu Channel (The Gut) Marine Reserve</span>

Te Awaatu Channel Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 93 hectares in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 1993 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

A nature reserve is a type of New Zealand protected area owned by the New Zealand Government and administered by the Department of Conservation to protect natural features.

References

  1. 1 2 Molloy, Les. "Protected areas". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand . Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
  2. 1 2 "Data Table - Protected Areas - LINZ Data Service". Land Information New Zealand . Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Swarbrick, Nancy. "National parks". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand . Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Conservation Act 1987". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
  5. 1 2 Section 18 and Section 19, Conservation Act 1987, New Zealand Parliament.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Hutching, Gerard. "Marine conservation - Protected areas". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand . Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
  7. "Resource Management Act 1991 No 69 (as at 11 July 2018), Public Act Coastal marine area – New Zealand Legislation". www.legislation.govt.nz. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  8. "No. 20. — Lord John Russell to Governor Hobson". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  9. "Public Domains Act 1860 (24 Victoriae 1860 No 32)". www.nzlii.org. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  10. 1 2 "Reserves Act Guide" (PDF). Department of Conservation. 2004.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Reserves Act 1977". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
  12. "National Parks Act 1980". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
  13. Hardy, Uniqua (10 May 2016). "The Oldest National Parks in the World". Culture Trip. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  14. 1 2 "World Heritage List". unesco.org. UNESCO.
  15. Ruru, Jacinta (October 2014). "Tūhoe-Crown settlement – Te Urewera Act 2014". Māori Law Review: 16–21.
  16. "Te Urewera: New Zealand's 'living' rainforest". No.  BBC Travel. BBC. 30 September 2021.
  17. "Marine reserves". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
  18. Molloy, Les (1 September 2015). "Protected areas – Scenic, historic, recreation and other reserves". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  19. Reserves Act 1977 s.16
  20. "Board of Inquiry into the Turitea Wind Farm Proposal" (PDF). September 2011.
  21. "Resource Management Act 1991 No 69 (as at 12 November 2018), Public Act 229 Purposes of esplanade reserves and esplanade strips – New Zealand Legislation". www.legislation.govt.nz. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  22. "New Zealand, Asia & Pacific". Protected Planet. World Database of Protected Areas. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  23. Fred B. Overmars, David A. Norton (14 November 2011). "Ecological areas – premier protected natural areas" (PDF).
  24. "2.2 Overview of conservation values". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  25. "Protection of land alongside rivers". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  26. Molloy, Les (1 September 2015). "Protected areas - Specially protected areas". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand . Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  27. "Categories of conservation land". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  28. "Offshore islands". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
  29. "Mainland islands". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
  30. 1 2 "DOC's international wetlands role". Department of Conservation.
  31. "Site list" (PDF). ramsar.org. Ramsar.
  32. "Chapter 7: Key points". State of New Zealand's Environment 1997. Ministry for the Environment. Retrieved 28 May 2010. Wetland areas have been reduced by about 85 percent in the last century and a half, from nearly 700,000 hectares to about 100,000 hectares.
  33. "World Heritage Sites". unesco.org. UNESCO.