‘Bright new period’ seen for parks and reserves boards

Press, 29 December 1980, Page 2

‘Bright new period’ seen for parks and reserves boards

April 1 next year would; mark the start of a “bright) new period” in parks and re«l serves administration in] New Zealand, said the Min-i ister of Lands (Mr V. s.i Young).

Mr Young was announcing the boundaries for new parks and reserves boards to be set up in North Canterbury, Nelson-Marlborough, and on the West Coast when the National Parks Act comes into effect next year. He said the boundaries for the new boards had been finalised after consultation with conservationists, user groups, and private members of the existing authorities. The exisiting boards would continue until April 1 next year when they would be replaced by the new authorities.

The new North Canterbury Board would be responsible for an area from the Kaikoura Coast to the Rakaia River and to the Southern Alps. It would include the Arthur’s Pass National Park, scenic reserves on the Kaikoura Cost and the Lewis Pass, and nature reserves at Motunau Island and Castle Hill.

The West Coast Board would cover the Westland National Park, the Buller Gorge scenic reserves. Lake Brunner, Waitangiroto Nature Reserve, Punakaiki Scenic and Nature Reserves, and the Hokitika Lakes Reserves.

The new Nelson-Marlbor-ough Board will be responsible for the Abel Tasman and Nelson Lakes National Parks. It will also cover the Farewell Spit Nature Re-

serve, Pupu Springs Scenic Reserve, Glenhope Scenic Reserve and Riwaka Scenic Reserve.

I Mr Young said that the I Marlborough Sounds Mariitime Park Board and the ! Onamalutu Reserves Board iwould not be affected by the i restructuring in the meantime. But other boards at present looking after national parks and significant scenic reserves would be replaced after the end of March next year. Members of the Pelorous Bridge Scenic Reserves Board, who would finish their terms at the end of this year, would be asked to continue to serve until the change-over. One of the most important jobs of the new boards would be to identify gaps in the protected areas system in each district, said Mr Young. They would .make proposals for new parks and reserves, and for additions to the existing ones. Once functioning the boards would consider management plans for reserves of national significance. They would work closely with the new National Parks and Reserves Authority to

assess the effectiveness of policies and to classify scenic reserves on the basis of their national regional, or local significance. Reserves of regional or local significance would be offered to local authorities to manage under the Reserves Act. Reserves of national significance Would be the responsibility of the District Parks and Reserves Boards. Public nominations would be called for the three boards early next year. Ten positions would be available. Mr Young said he hoped people with interests in parks and reserves administration, conservation, and recreation would offer themselves to the boards. ■ ■ • - The new administrative structure would have several important effects, he said. It would give local people more opportunity to take part in the administration of protected areas, ' but they would work within an integrated national structure. Reserves of national importance would be recognised as being on a par with national parks. All protected areas would be given equal