The Management of the outlying islands of New Zealand with special reference to the Antipodes Islands

Abstract

My interest in the outlying islands of New Zealand began with a visit to the Bounties and Antipodes Islands as part of the B.A.A.S. Expedition 1978 . This expedition was organised by the Wildlife Service of the Department of Internal Affairs, and was to cover visits to the Bounty Islands, the Antipodes Islands, the Auckland Islands, and the Snares Islands. The plan included an extended visit to the Antipodes Islands during which time a hut was to be built and the old castaways depot was to be repaired. For this reason, principally, two members of the Lands and Survey Department, John Newton Senior Ranger (Training and Special Projects) and myself, were asked to join the expedition. Our first port of call after leaving Christchurch was at the Bounty Islands where we were to leave three members of the Expedition. While helping with the unloading of gear and the establishment of a camp on the islands I was lucky enough to get ashore for a short period. The Bounty Islands are truly remarkable and unique with massive chunks of rock sticking out of the sea, covered by birds and seals, with no vegetation whatsoever. An inhospitable place at the best of times but islands of raw beauty and unique significance in the conservation of nature. From the Bounty Islands we travelled to the Antipodes Islands. The sea journeys aboard H.M.N.Z.S. Waikato were something in themselves; a chance to become more aware of the power of the sea, its importance as a food storage and its importance in the conservation of the earth's natural system. Also, the separation of the islands becomes more apparent and the uniqueness of the islands because of this separation becomes more comprehensible. Approaching the Antipodes Islands we were amazed by their difference from the Bounty Islands. The Antipodes Islands rose from the sea in sheer cliffs then levelled out to flat plateaux covered with vegetation and then another rise to more plateaux. A dense mist covered the islands, but this soon rose to give a clear but cold day as we moved by helicopter and boat onto the main island. This dissertation is based predominantly on our stay on the Antipodes Islands but looks generally at the importance of all the outlying islands of New Zealand and attempts to give these islands a place in the nature conservation system of our world.