Lewis Pass Reserve to have new status

Press, 23 September 1983, Page 2

Lewis Pass Reserve to have new status

Parliamentary reporter

The greater part of the Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve has been designated as New Zealand’s first National Reserve.

This new status would give the reserve the same protection as a national park, and could not be revoked without an act of Parliament, said the Minister of Lands, Mr Elworthy.

The Lewis Pass was an obvious choice as the first National Reserve because of its outstanding scenery, ecological value, and historic importance as an alpine pass linking Canterbury with Nelson and the West Coast, he said. The new National Reserve comprises about

20,000 ha and includes the upper reaches of the Maruia and Lewis rivers. Parts of the old scenic reserve not matching the more exacting standards for the National Reserve have been included in the Victoria State Forest Park, and parts of the State Forest have been taken for inclusion in the National Reserve. After a rationalisation of boundaries, the National Reserve will eventually stretch northwards to meet the new boundaries of Nelson Lakes National Park, itself being extended southwards.

There will be skyline boundaries along both sides of the Maruia and Lewis rivers.

Mr Elworthy said the

whole area had outstanding scenic and recreational attractions. There were fine stands of beech forest, a multitude of small plants and flowers, and many species of birds.

The National Reserve also had a variety of walks to suit all types of visitors, he said. Lake Christobcl and the nearby catchments of the Upper Grey and Blue Grey rivers are not included in the National Reserve.

They have been the subject of intense lobbying from conservation groups for inclusion. But as the lake and two river catchments were under the control of the Forest Service, they bad been left out of the National Reserve at this stage, Mr Elworthy said.