N.Z. NATIONAL PARKS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29752, 20 February 1962, Page 22

N.Z. NATIONAL PARKS

“Challenge To Board”

“Mort New Zealanders have never visited more than one or two national parks, and some none at all,” the Direc-tor-General of Lands. Mr D. N. R. Webb, told the first meeting of the Urewera National Park Board at Rotorua recently. “This is your challenge,” he said. “Some ill-informed people say those in authority are not ‘national park conscious’ and that they lack common and scenic sense, but this is not so. The nine national parks of New Zealand already have a worldwide reputation and are constantly being admired and praised by overseas visitors.”

Since the National Parks Authority was established in 1952 the area under reservation had increased from half a million acres to four million and a half acres. In addition there were another million acres under scenic and allied reservations. The National Parks Authority was the guiding hand for local park boards. Local boards, such as that just established for the Urewera, consisted of eight members selected for their interest and belief in nature conservation and the preservation of wilderness. The Lands and Survey Department provided the boards with free clerical, accounting, surveying and mapping services and other assistance.

Charging the Urewera Park Board with its duties, Mr Webb said the area must be preserved as a true wilderness. At the same time the board must provide basic amenities so that the public could have freedom of access to enjoy the park.

“As population presses hard on the beaches and remaining open lands, more and more people will turn to the national parks for relaxation of body and spirit,” Mr Webb said. “In our national parks they will experience true wilderness for which most people, without quite knowing why, have a warm feeling.”