Spectacular new conservation park for Kaikoura
Date: 07 June 2008
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
A new conservation park encompassing snow-capped peaks in the Kaikoura Ranges and rugged high country is being officially opened today by Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick.
"The new Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park contains ecologically important areas with remarkable diversity in native wildlife and plants, and is a stunning setting for recreational activities," Steve Chadwick said.
The Park covers 88,065 hectares in the Kaikoura Ranges, linking with existing conservation areas to form this new conservation park.
Ka Whata Tu O Rakihouia Conservation
Park. Click image for larger version of
map.
"The new Park's natural treasures include varied and unique plants, with species such as pink tree broom, coral daisy and New Zealand lilac.
"It also hosts a diverse range of native wildlife, especially insects and lizards. Three species of giant weta live in the park and it is a stronghold for New Zealand's only alpine lizard, the black-eyed gecko.
"The park provides numerous opportunities for people to enjoy recreational activities in this breathtaking terrain, including tramping, rafting, climbing, hunting, fishing, horse trekking, and mountain biking. There are already several huts and bivvies in the park.
"I would like to thank Te Runanga o Kaikoura for recommending the name of the new park, Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia (the Standing Stores of Rakihouia), which is the Maori name for the Seaward Kaikoura Range."
The Clarence River flows along the park's boundary with Molesworth Station. The station is a reserve under DOC management, and includes a farm run by Landcorp Farming Ltd. There is potential for tramping routes that connect the new conservation park with public recreation areas on Molesworth.
"The area also has a rich high country farming history dating back to the 1850s, and the park has an important collection of historic farm buildings including the1860s Quail Flat cob homestead and woolshed, and 1920s musterers' and pack track huts."
The park includes 22,584 hectares of conservation land that resulted from a recent tenure review of Muzzle Station, and grazing will continue on over 8,283 hectares of the new park.