How long can N.Z. scenery last?

Press, 17 February 1978, Page 12

How long can N.Z. scenery last?

By

JOHN HUTCHISON

i in San Francisco

A widely-read American travel writer, recently returned from a tour of New Zealand, has written a series Of newspaper articles in which he views with great apprehension the erosion of New Zealand’s scenic treasures and its national character.

“New Zealand is clearly at a crossroads.” writes Mr Michael Frome. “It can either safeguard its values and the special character of its people — essentially reserved, gentle and courteous —or follow the path of ultradeveloped nations toward a technology-based culture, in which there is more of everything and it all seems alike.”

Noting the replacement of New Zealand’s native forests with exotic commercial trees, the clear-felling of large erosion-prone blocks, the effects of mineral and river exploitation, and the development of tourist centres in fragile natural environments, Mr Frome says:

“New Zealand certainly makes a prime destination for the environmentallyoriented traveller. Mark it a

must-see and you won’t go wrong ... I wonder for how long these exceptional resources, and the pleasant experiences that go with them, can last.” He expresses concern over the cutting of virgin forests in Westland, and quotes a leading article from “The Press” which said, “Future generations will not think kindly of this generation if it allows some of the country's last extensive lowland forests to be milled when there are ways this can be avoided.”

Although much of New Zealand’s resources have been converted and harnessed to practical use, the country has a proud record among nations of conservation and preservation of ecosystems, Mr Frome conceded. He pays restrained tribute to the Government for taking some measures to moderate the development of tourist attractions, but he describes the expansion of accommodation at Mt Cook Village as “a classic illustration of one of the world’s spectacles” destined by the nature of their apnea! for

misuse and degradation.” Plans to double accommodation there, he predicts, will mean “more buses, trucks and parking lots, more sewage, solid waste and souvenir shops, more housing for employees.” “It would bring more noise from sight-seeing planes which already depreciate the physical environment and reduce a natural area to an amusement park.”

He said he found tire same dilemma at Milford Sound, where the completion of a new 400-passenger tour boat contrasts with the 40-room hotel, “Where will people stay overnight?” he asks, citing a report by a T.H.C. consultant who observed that “financial benefits of major expansion may be outweighed by more intangible costs such as loss of visitor opportunity and damage to the national landscape.”

Much of New Zealand is well suited for tramping, mountaineering, many forms of recreation, including nature study, and for nature preservation as well, the American writer concluded, remarking, “I hesitate to

urge: Go see it now before it’s gone.” Four of his long articles appeared in the “Los Angeles Times.” which has a daily

circulation of more than one million. Mr Frome is an easterner, and presumably his observations have appeared widely in other papers

across the United States. He is also a magazine writer and has written a book, just published, on American national narks.