Protection of private land under the Reserves Act 1977 : with case studies and examples of protected private land in the Taranaki Land District

Abstract

New Zealand has an infinite variety of scenery within a small area : the countryside draws its unique qualities from both natural features and cultural influences.

A number of agencies our heritage from destruction. The New Zealand Forest Service follows a policy of conservation and has set up forest parks for the protection of significant ecological areas, recreation, and follows a policy of controlled milling of our native forests. The Department of Lands and Survey administers our national parks and reserves and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust is responsible for preserving places and relics of historic interest.

While the nation is well served with protected areas in national parks, reserves and state forests and other public land, there is a growing recognition of the landscape quality of much of the New Zealand countryside which is in private ownership.

It is the wish of many landowners that this quality is maintained and there are many instances where they are willing to make their land available to protect historic features, unique ecological areas, wildlife sanctuaries or provide for public recreation.

Three new Acts of Parliament provide the means of achieving a greater degree of protection of the qualities of the New Zealand countryside and in appropriate cases, the public use of private land.

- The New Zealand Walkways Act 1975 set up the New Zealand Walkway Commission to facilitate public access to the countryside;

- the Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust Act 1977 set up the National Trust for open space in New Zealand;

- the Reserves Act 1977, in addition to dealing with the establishment and management of public reserves, provides a variety of means by which landowners may be assisted to manage their land to protect a particular quality or for landscape and/or recreational values.