Despite a plan to upgrade its status years ago, Hakatere Conservation Area has been classified as 'stewardship land' since 2007 after its purchase by the Nature Heritage Fund. FMC President, Jan Finlayson, discusses its natural resources and recreational opportunities, as well as the many special creatures that call this magical landscape home.
What is the significance of 'stewardship land' and in what ways is this classification lacking? DOC Manager in Planning Permissions and Land, Karl Beckert, outlines the history of stewardship land and the process by which DOC is striving to reclassify lands to reflect the conservation and cultural values of the whenua.
While great strides have been taken to restore the native bird population, the future of the Coromandel Forests is less certain. FMC outlines its vision for the protection of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Covering 2,700 hectares of the Wakarara range in Central Hawkes Bay, the Gwavas Conservation Area has been awaiting reclassification since DOC's early days. John Beech, General Committee Member for the Manawatu Tramping and Skiing Club, offers insight into this region's battle for reclassification and greater land protection.
Why is land classification important? What are the consequences of classifying an area as a stewardship land as opposed to a national park? FMC Executive Crystal Brindle explains how classification works and champions for the Mavora Lakes Conservation Area and Livingstone Mountains to be awarded the highest tier of protection.
Featured in Backcountry Magazine's "Forgotten Lands" edition (November 2019), FMC Executive Neil Silverwood explores the unique limestone region around the Four Mile River West Coast and explains why this remarkable land deserves higher protection.
A few keen Wellingtonians head on a windy winters walk to a lesser known corner of the proposed "Remarkables National Park"
Copyright is held by the writer/creator. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-NoDerivs 3.0 NZ
