Protected areas of New Zealand

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

Protected areas of New Zealand are on both public and private land. Nearly 30 percent of the land mass of New Zealand is in public ownership and has some degree of protection. The level of protection varies according to the land status.

Protected areas

The Department of Conservation administers the majority of the publicly owned land in New Zealand that is protected for scenic, scientific, historic and cultural reasons, or set aside for recreational purposes. More than 80,000 km² – nearly 30 percent of the nation's total area – is administered by the department.

There are 14 national parks, covering just under 25,000 km², 20 forest parks covering some 18,000 km², about 3,500 reserves covering around 15,000 km², and some 610 km² of protected private land and covenants that have been set aside for scenic, scientific or ecological reasons. The department also has responsibility for the preservation and management of wildlife, and has a role in management of the coastal marine area with 19 marine reserves and two other protected marine areas from the Kermadec Islands to Fiordland.

Forest parks

Main article: Forest Parks of New Zealand

Aorangi Forest Park Catlins Forest Park Coromandel Forest Park Craigieburn Forest Park Hanmer Forest Park Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park Kaimanawa Forest Park Kaweka Forest Park Lake Sumner Forest Park Mount Richmond Forest Park

Northland Forest Park Otago Goldfields Forest Park Pirongia Forest Park Pureora Forest Park Raukumara Forest Park Rimutaka Forest Park Ruahine Forest Park Tararua Forest Park Victoria Forest Park Whirinaki Forest Park

Mainland islands

The Department of Conservation have set up five mainland islands:^[1]

• Boundary Stream Mainland Island
• Paengaroa Mainland Island
• Rotoiti Mainland Island
• Te Urewera Mainland Island
• Trounson Kauri Park Mainland Island

Marine reserves

Main article: Marine reserves of New Zealand

New Zealand has a total of 32 marine reserves spread around the North and South Islands, and two on outlying island groups. The first marine reserve was created in 1975.

National parks

Main article: National parks of New Zealand

There are 14 national parks, covering just under 25,000 km².

Abel Tasman National Park Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Arthur's Pass National Park Egmont National Park Fiordland National Park Kahurangi National Park Mount Aspiring National Park

Nelson Lakes National Park Paparoa National Park Rakiura National Park Te Urewera National Park Tongariro National Park Westland Tai Poutini National Park Whanganui National Park

Regional parks

Main article: Regional parks of New Zealand

Regional parks of New Zealand are administered by regional councils.

Wetlands

Main article: Wetlands of New Zealand

New Zealand is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention, and as of 2008 there are six Ramsar-registered sites in New Zealand:

Farewell Spit Firth of Thames Kopuatai Peat Dome

Manawatu River mouth and estuary Waituna Lagoon Whangamarino

Travis Wetland is an ecological restoration project in Christchurch that was purchased by the city council as a nature reserve.

World Heritage sites

There are three World Heritage Sites in New Zealand:

• Te Wahipounamu
• Tongariro National Park
• New Zealand sub-antarctic islands

Private reserves

• Hinewai Reserve

Other protected areas

• JM Barker (Hapupu) Historic Reserve
• Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
• Maungatautari Restoration Project
• Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary
• Nugget Point
• Orokonui Ecosanctuary
• Lake Rotokare, Taranaki
• Tiritiri Matangi Island

See also

• Protected areas

References

1. ^ "Mainland islands A - Z: New Zealand land conservation". Department of Conservation. http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/land-and-freshwater/land/mainland-islands-a-z/. Retrieved 24 May 2011. 

External links

• Department of Conservation
• Protected areas databases at Landcare Research