Important Sanctuaries

NATURE CONSERVATION

by Percy Hylton Craig Lucas, Administrative Officer, Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington.

NATURE CONSERVATION

The conservation of native flora and fauna is actively pursued in New Zealand and is backed by legislation. A Nature Conservation Council of independent members expert in the field of conservation was established by legislation in 1962 to coordinate scientific and technical information on nature conservation, to inquire into the effect of proposed public works on any aspect of nature conservation, and to act as an advisory body to Government on matters affecting nature conservation. Specific areas have been set apart as public reserves for scenic purposes, and as national parks where native flora and fauna are given absolute protection and the public normally has unrestricted rights of access. Other areas have been set apart for the preservation of flora and fauna with, in some cases, restricted rights of access.

National Parks

National parks represent the largest areas where absolute protection is given and nature is preserved as far as possible. Ten parks totalling 5,019,388 acres have been constituted and are administered under the National Parks Act of 1952. Wilderness areas set apart within national parks have development restricted to foot tracks to ensure the preservation of the natural state. By 1961 five wilderness areas had been set aside in four parks. The National Parks Act also provides for the setting apart of special areas for the preservation of any unique flora or fauna, entry to a special area without a permit being forbidden. One such area has been set apart in Fiordland National Park to protect the only known habitat of the flightless notornis or takahe.

The Reserves and Domains Act of 1953 governs the reservation and administration of public reserves, many of which are set apart for scenic purposes. Positive action to reserve land for scenic purposes was taken with the passing of the Scenery Preservation Act 1903 which set up a Scenery Preservation Commission (later replaced by a board) to report on land worthy of preservation. This responsibility now vests in the Minister of Lands. Nine hundred and fifty-two areas, totalling 683,334 acres, have been set apart as scenic reserves including some reserved primarily for historic reasons. The Minister of Lands is responsible for administration through the Department of Lands and Survey and is assisted in general oversight by the National Parks Authority. Local administration is in the hands of local authorities, scenic boards, or Commissioners of Crown Lands. Public reserves may also be set apart as wilderness areas.

Important Sanctuaries

Parts of the mainland and minor islands have been set apart for the preservation of flora and fauna and as bird sanctuaries, with provision to restrict public access. There are 32 such areas totalling 447,252 acres. Important sanctuaries include Little Barrier Island, in the Hauraki Gulf, near Auckland; Cape Kidnappers gannet colony, in Hawke's Bay; Kapiti Island (q.v.) off Paraparaumu, near Wellington; the white heron colony near Okarito, in Westland; and the albatross colony at Taiaroa Heads, Otago Peninsula.

Provision is made in the Reserves and Domains Act for the creation of private scenic reserves under which land remains in private ownership but obtains the protection of the Reserves and Domains Act.

Native bush is also protected on public domains, of which there are 911, totalling 61,324 acres. Under the Forests Act of 1949, State forest land may be set apart as forest sanctuaries to preserve indigenous flora and fauna and for scientific purposes. The main area set apart is Waipoua State Forest of 22,500 acres, near Dargaville in North Auckland, the last remaining substantial stand of kauri trees.

Scope of Wild Life Act of 1953

All animals (except noxious animals), birds, reptiles, and amphibians living in a natural state, and marine mammals and fish (which are given some protection by the Fisheries Act 1908), are classified as wildlife, and are protected by the constitution of any private or Crown land as wildlife refuges or wildlife sanctuaries under the Wildlife Act of 1953, administered by the Minister of Internal Affairs. Wildlife refuges, of which there are 188, give adequate protection to wildlife while affording considerable liberty of farming or other activity on the land. Wildlife sanctuaries are primarily habitat areas for wildlife where absolute protection is given and a wide range of restrictions can be imposed including restriction or prohibition of entry. There are 14 wildlife sanctuaries.

With few exceptions, the Wildlife Act gives some protection to all native birds, those with no protection being a cormorant (the large black shag), the harrier hawk, and a mountain parrot (the kea). Nine species are partially protected; and four other native birds, together with seven introduced species, are classified as game and may be taken under licence subject to special restrictions during seasons of limited duration. All other native birds are absolutely protected along with one introduced specimen, the mute or white swan. In addition to native birds, the tuatara, two species of bat, and the native frogs are protected. The measure of protection to native fauna has been steadily increased since 1907 when complete protection was first given to some native species, although this protection came too late to save birds such as the huia from extinction.

Modern Methods of Conservation

The Department of Internal Affairs supervises ranging activities for law enforcement, and is responsible for a wide range of wildlife conservation, research, and management work. Activities include undertaking wildlife surveys and ecological research, special attention being given to the numerous offshore islands, the preservation of which in a natural state is an important aspect of fauna conservation. In many of these activities the Department is assisted by a Fauna Protection Advisory Council. Efforts are made to preserve reasonable areas of wetlands for wildlife habitat. Re-establishment of native birds in regions in which they have become extinct is also undertaken as is the raising of rare species in captivity in an endeavour to ensure that the species are maintained.

Developing a public appreciation of native flora and fauna is an important aspect of conservation, and educational work is carried out by Government agencies, museums, and by voluntary bodies such as the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, the Ornithological Society, the Royal Society, naturalist clubs, and scenery preservation societies.

Conservation of native flora and fauna has been handicapped by the spread of introduced noxious plants such as broom, brier, and gorse. Introduced animals given legislative protection in earlier years have become pests and have also caused destruction of native and other vegetation. In the interests of conservation, it is Government policy to combat both noxious weeds and noxious animals. Legislation provides for the eradication or control of these weeds and animals including deer, chamois, thar, pigs, goats, opossums, and rabbits. Government action includes subsidies to local and ad hoc authorities to assist in control and eradication measures. Research and the destruction of deer in remote areas is carried out by the Protection Forest Division of the New Zealand Forest Service.

by Percy Hylton Craig Lucas, Administrative Officer, Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington.

NATURE CONSERVATION 22-Apr-09 Percy Hylton Craig Lucas, Administrative Officer, Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington.