The purpose of national parks

National Parks have existed in New Zealand since 1887, when Te Heuheu Tukino gifted to the nation the summits of Tongariro and Ruapehu as our first national park- Tongariro National Park -for the benefit of all. Since that time national parks have grown in number, area and status. As a people, New Zealanders look on these places as priceless areas representing their natural and historical and cultural heritage, and as part of the nation's birthright which must be protected for future generations to treasure and enjoy. This expectation is expressed in the National Parks Act 1980:

• "…the provisions of this Act shall have effect for the purpose of preserving in perpetuity as national parks, for their intrinsic worth and for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of the public, areas of New Zealand that contain scenery of such distinctive quality, ecological systems, or natural features so beautiful, unique, or scientifically important that their preservation is in the national interest." (section 4(1), National Parks Act 1980)

and

• "Subject to the provisions of this Act and to the imposition of such conditions and restrictions as may be necessary for the preservation of the native plants and animals or the welfare in general of the parks, the public shall have freedom of entry and access to the parks, so that they may receive in full measure the inspiration, enjoyment, recreation, and other benefits that may be derived from mountains, forests, sounds, seacoasts, lakes, rivers, and other natural features." (section 4(2)(e), National Parks Act 1980)

People respond to particular national parks and their features in different ways, at different times in their lives, and experience their benefits differently. For some, the parks are settings for adventure where the sheer joy of physical activity and the deep satisfaction of meeting the challenges of nature on nature's terms can be experienced alone or in the company of friends. For others, they are places of natural quiet, and of spiritual significance invoking thoughts of forebears or life forces. To many, the opportunity to see, hear or feel natural New Zealand in a national park is a reinforcement of their identity as New Zealanders, an aesthetic or sensual pleasure and a release from the stresses of everyday life. The power of national park wilderness qualities, scenery, or flora and fauna can inspire creativity in numerous ways. For others, who may no longer be capable of visiting them, there is nevertheless a philosophical or moral satisfaction in knowing that such places exist and will continue to exist. All of these responses to national parks are aspects of "benefit, use and enjoyment". (Section 4(1), National Parks Act 1980)

Many of New Zealand's species of flora and fauna are unique and national parks are places where emphasis is given to their preservation. Ultimately, the act of preservation is a proclamation of how highly New Zealanders value the outstanding indigenous plants and animals of their country.

For tangata whenua, the relationship with land now in national parks was developed during centuries of close interaction with New Zealand's natural resources. Those resources continue to sustain the integrity, knowledge and values of their culture. Māori, as kaitiaki of the indigenous plants and animals within their rohe, have a customary duty to protect and enhance that biodiversity. They are also holders of Mātauranga Māori.

National parks provide opportunities to learn about nature and about people's associations with nature; they help to locate us in our country and connect us to a unique ecological past that pre-dates our time by tens of millions of years. Preserving and restoring such places and the species within them, help us to understand the transformation of New Zealand's environment and ecology by our ancestors, and at the same time fulfil a commitment to our children and future generations.

National parks are held for their intrinsic worth - that is for the value that they have, just because they exist - quite separate from any value that humans may ascribe to them. They are places where human interference, modification and control should be minimal, and enjoyment of them should be on nature's terms.

back to top