Scenic reserves are a type of New Zealand protected area. They are the most common, and probably most widespread, form of protected area in the country. [1] The reserve vary size: while most are less than 100 hectares, some are more than 1,000 hectares. Some are "islands of unspoilt nature in a sea of farmland". [1]
Scenic reserves were first created when communities decided to keep some original vegetation in an area where most original vegetation had been removed. Most are patches of bush, often close to roads. [1] Statutory control of scenic reserves was covered by the Scenery Preservation Act 1903 until the passing of the Reserves Act 1977. [1]
Ball’s Clearing Scenic Reserve in Hawke’s Bay, an area of native forest fenced off from the surrounding pasture land, is typical scenic reserve. [2]
The following scenic reserves are located in and around the North Island: [3]
The following scenic reserves are located in and around the South Island: [3]
Statistics New Zealand defines urban areas of New Zealand for statistical purposes. The urban areas comprise cities, towns and other conurbations of a thousand people or more. In combination, the urban areas of the country constitute New Zealand's urban population. As of June 2024, the urban population made up 84.3% of New Zealand's total population.
Paparoa National Park is on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The park was established in 1987 and encompasses 430 km2 (170 sq mi). The park ranges from or near the coastline to the peaks of the Paparoa Range. A separate section of the park lies to the north and is centred at Ananui Creek. The park protects a limestone karst area. The park contains several caves, of which Metro Cave / Te Ananui Cave is a commercial tourist attraction. The majority of the park is forested with a wide variety of vegetation. The park was the site of the 1995 Cave Creek disaster where fourteen people died as a result of the collapse of a scenic viewing platform.
The Catlins comprise an area in the southeastern corner of the South Island of New Zealand. The area lies between Balclutha and Invercargill, straddling the boundary between the Otago and Southland regions. It includes the South Island's southernmost point, Slope Point.
The Ohinemuri River is located in the northern half of New Zealand's North Island, at the base of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Waipu is a small town in Bream Bay, in the Northland Region of New Zealand. The town has a Scottish heritage; a highlight of the town's calendar is the annual Highland Games held at New Year. Near the town are the Waipu Caves, which contain a significant population of glow worms.
The Purakaunui Falls are a cascading three-tiered waterfall on the Purakaunui River, in The Catlins of the southern South Island of New Zealand. As one of very few South Island waterfalls away from the alpine region, it has long been a popular destination and photographic subject.
This is a list of placenames in Scotland which have subsequently been applied to parts of New Zealand by Scottish emigrants or explorers.
This is a list of outdoor and indoor rock climbing areas in the North Island of New Zealand.
The Purakaunui River is a river in the western Catlins, New Zealand. It rises west of Houipapa and flows through the Pūrākaunui Bay Scenic Reserve into the Pacific Ocean at Pūrākaunui Bay. The river is best known for Purakaunui Falls.
The Waitākere River is a river of the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows north then west from its sources in the Waitākere Ranges, reaching the Tasman Sea at Te Henga / Bethells Beach, to the south of Muriwai Beach. The upper reaches of the river are dammed to form the Waitākere Reservoir. The Waitākere Falls, just below the dam, are 95 metres (312 ft) high and the third highest waterfall in the North Island.
The McLean Falls on the Tautuku River in Catlins Forest Park descend a number of steep drop offs and terraces, with the very top of the waterfall, where it meets its first waterpool being 22-metres. It then descends for many more metres over a series of terraces. The McLean Falls are often described as the most spectacular in the region. However, its sister waterfall Purakaunui Falls is more visited, due to it being more easily accessible.
Uretiti Beach is a stretch of beach between Ruakākā and Waipu on Bream Bay to the south of Whangārei in Northland, New Zealand. It comprises the coastal side of the Uretiti Recreation Reserve and Uretiti Scenic Reserve, and is served by a Department of Conservation (DOC) campground within the Recreation Reserve. Uretiti Beach is popular for swimming, surfing, and fishing, a well-known clothing-optional beach, and camping area for the LGBTQ+ community over the New Year period.
The Ōpanuku Stream, formerly known as the Henderson Stream, is a stream of the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows east from its source the Waitākere Ranges through the Henderson Valley, then north-east through West Auckland before entering into the Te Wai-o-Pareira / Henderson Creek, which flows into the western the Waitematā Harbour. The stream passes through the rural locality of Henderson Valley and the West Auckland suburbs of Western Heights and Henderson. Since the mid-2000s it has been forested with native flora.
A government purpose reserve is a type of New Zealand protected area. There are currently 215 recognised government purpose reserves in New Zealand.
A recreation reserve is a type of New Zealand protected area owned by the New Zealand Government and reserved mainly for sporting or recreational activities. Many provide public access to coastlines, lakes and rivers. Some are administered by the Department of Conservation.
Historic reserves are a type of New Zealand protected area. Most are less than 10 hectares in size, and protect places of places, objects, and natural features of historic, archaeological, cultural or educational value. Land Information New Zealand lists 185 historic reserves on its website.
Pukematekeo is a hill in the Waitākere Ranges of the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located west of Henderson, and is the northernmost hill in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park.
The Goldie Bush Scenic Reserve, also known as Goldies Bush and Te Taiapa, is a forested area of West Auckland, New Zealand. Located south-east of Muriwai, the reserve is home to the Mokoroa Falls.