The landscapes of the South Island's high country are amongst
New Zealand's most dramatic. Forest and Bird is campaigning to protect the conservation
values of the high country for all New Zealanders.
This is the land of tussock, edelweiss and kea. The landscape varies from the
high peaks and glaciers of the central Southern Alps to the wide-open spaces
of Central Otago's block mountains and the Molesworth Station. Rare plants and
animals make their homes on the peaks, hill slopes and wide river valleys.
Some of New Zealand's most threatened species including orange fronted parakeets
and kaki/black stilt live here.
The Government has responded by transferring Molesworth station to the Department
of Conservation and buying up land and leases to create new public parks.
Much of the land is already owned by the Crown on behalf of the taxpayer - you
and I - but is leased to farmers at subsidised rents. Farmers have the option
of seeking a review of their tenure that leads to privatisation of the productive
land and protection of land with conservation values. Many farmers have voluntarily
joined the tenure review programme. Some farmers are seeking to have the entire
high country privatised.
Your help is needed to encourage the Government to keep
creating new conservation parks.
2. Join Forest and Bird to support
our work to protect New Zealand's high country
3. Write a letter to Conservation
Minister Chris Carter and thank him for creating new high country parks.
Tell him that he should not cave-in to farmers who want to privatise the entire
high country.
