Two Thumb Range Conservation Park proposal
Consultation closed Friday 4 July 2008.
A new park is proposed for mid-Canterbury that brings 11 pieces of conservation land together into one management unit across the Two Thumb Range.
The total area proposed for the conservation park goes from the Rangitata headwaters in the north, to the Godley Macaulay Conservation Area in the west, down to Mt Dobson Conservation Area adjoining Tekapo, as well as Clayton Conservation Area in the east and includes land from Mesopotamia Station (yet to be gazetted) in the north east. The combined land total is about 93,800 hectares.
While this proposal refers to the proposed Two Thumb conservation park, this is in reference to the area, not a name. Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua has suggested the name ‘Te Kahui Kaupeka’ for the new park, which translates generally to ‘Gathering place of waters’.
The proposed park provides multiple opportunities for recreation, primarily in a mountain setting with frontcountry, backcountry and remote experiences. Skiing (Mount Dobson and Round Hill ski fields), heli-skiing, ski-touring, climbing, tramping, hunting, mountain biking, horse riding, fishing, camping, nature/scenery appreciation, photography and painting are all possibilities here.
Current recreational use is pretty low because of its remoteness, seasonal climate and previous access restrictions, but with access will improve as a result of Mesopotamia completing tenure review.
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