N.Z. has its flaws, says Englishman

Press, 25 January 1989, Page 29

N.Z. has its flaws, says Englishman

NZPA London A two-month horse ride across New Zealand is the subject of a new book launched in London on Friday. In “Fragile Eden,” the British explorer, Robin Hanbury-Tenison, recounts the experience he and his wife Louella had as they journeyed on horseback from the remote settlements of the South Island to the Maori settlements of North Island early last year.

Mr Hanbury-Tenison, president of Survival International, is the author of earlier books about expeditions to the

jungles of South America and Borneo and a ride along the Great Wall of China.

“Fragile Eden” is critical of the way European settlers virtually destroyed vast areas of the New Zealand landscape during the last century in their quest for farmland. Mr Hanbury-Tenison concluded that while New Zealand was a potential Pacific paradise, it had its flaws, lack of self-respect amongst them. A reception to mark the launching .of the book, which will be released in New Zealand in about two months, was held at New Zealand House.