Westland was originally covered with dense bush extending from the shores of the Tasman Sea to very near the snow line of the Southern Alps. Large areas are still covered by virgin forest, particularly on the steeper hill country, and it is extremely doubtful whether the breaking in of more virgin country is yet warranted. However, on much of the flat and easier land axe and fire accounted for the bush and forest, though not all this country has been put to agricultural use. On many of the early bush-burn areas sheep have retreated in the unequal struggle against second growth, but a large proportion of such land is capable of improvement.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 79, Issue 3, 15 September 1949, Page 261

Westland was originally covered with dense bush extending from the shores of the Tasman Sea to very near the snow line of the Southern Alps. Large areas are still covered by virgin forest, particularly on the steeper hill country, and it is extremely doubtful whether the breaking in of more virgin country is yet warranted. However, on much of the flat and easier land axe and fire accounted for the bush and forest, though not all this country has been put to agricultural use. On many of the early bush-burn areas sheep have retreated in the unequal struggle against second growth, but a large proportion of such land is capable of improvement.