Story: Soil erosion and conservation

Erosion control on hill country

By the 1940s large areas of New Zealand farmland were subject to erosion, and serious questions were being asked. In this film clip Laurie Newnham (chair of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council) stresses the importance of allowing native bush to regenerate, or of planting exotic species on steep hill country. The same message is still given today.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Reference: Chairman's speech on soil conservation. National Film Unit, 1950

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How to cite this page:

Paul Gregg, 'Soil erosion and conservation - Legislation and catchment boards: 1940s–1950s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/19798/erosion-control-on-hill-country (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Paul Gregg, published 24 Nov 2008