Mount Cook National Park

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28894, 14 May 1959, Page 14

Mount Cook National Park

In its efforts to provide better amenities in one of New Zealand’s finest scenic regions, the Mount Cook National Park Board merits generous public

assistance. At its annual meeting, the board approved a fiveyear development plan on a regrettably narrow scale; but, until the board’s income is increased, it cannot do as much as is desirable to maintain and enhance the attractions of the area. Last March, a member of the New Zealand Alpine Club, in an article printed by “ The Press ”, criticised the decline of tourist and climbing facilities at the Hermitage. Since then there have been some improvements; but much remains to be done. Control of all high-country huts is being transferred from the Tourist Hotel Corporation (which controls the Hermitage) to the National Park Board; the board will provide guiding services for high climbers and for all day trips except to the Ball Hut; and the number of guides is to be increased. Clearly, however, the board cannot function as adequately as everybody would like unless it receives more money.

Each year the New Zealand Government allocates about 4d an acre for the upkeep of the national parks. The comparable figure in the United States is 10s. Most of the Mount Cook board’s income of £7OOO is granted from the £44.000 that the Government sets aside for all national parks. The board derives no revenue from contiguous local body areas. By contrast, local body contributions have greatly assisted L the Egmont National Park

Board, which administers an area about 93,000 acres smaller than the Mount Cook board’s. Because of its financial problems, the Mount Cook board needs to be specially careful to avoid wasteful enterprises; and it is satisfactory that, as the result of criticism, the board has suspended the destruction of exotic trees in the park, at least until the National Parks Authority gives a ruling. In the Mount Cook area, the people of Canterbury and of New Zealand may enjoy a remarkable heritage of natural beauty and almost unrivalled opportunities for mountain sports. The National Park Board bears a heavy responsibility for preserving this heritage and making it accessible to as many people as possible. By public support, reasonable financial security, and the cooperation of all who recognise the enduring value of its work, the board should be encouraged to undertake a more ambitious and imaginative programme than that mentioned at its latest meeting.