Birth of a new Department

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 42, 7 April 1987, Page 1

Birth of a new Department

Last week staff of Tongariro National Park gathered at Whakapapa Ranger Station to mark the passing of their old employer — the Lands and Survey Department and the birth of their new employer — the Department of Conservation. After a speeeh from new District Conservator and ex-chief ranger Paul Greena man wielding a revving chainsaw ran in and symbolically cut down the flagpole which was carrying a flag marked L & S. Soon after a group of rangers carried in a coffin representing the death of Lands and Survey, followed by a walking model of Ngauruhoe complete with skiboots, flashing lighs and bursts of thick white steam. Ngauruhoe was accompanied by a Wetsuited lady throwing 'snow'over the volcano. Paul Green commented at this point that no matter who administers the Park, the mountains will con-

tinue toerupt wheneverthey wish. Most staff present at the small celebration were quietly positive about the change in employer. There are to be no staff cuts for the Park though chief ranger Paul Green leaves Whakapapa and will become district conservator for the Tongariro District based in Turangi. The new department has the sole job of conservation without the conflicting responsibilities that the old departments were involved in. DOC is not being corporatised as is the Forest Service and parts of Lands and Survey operations though the Department is expected to recover 20% of its costs through charges to users of some facilities. DOC combines functions formerly carried out by the Lands and Survey Department, the New Zealand Forest Service, the Department of Internal Affairs and the marine section of the

Ministry of Transport. The department will administer protected areas such as forest parks, wilderness areas and ecological reserves as well as national parks and reserves, marine reserves, wildlife refuges and historic places. DOC will also administer 'stewardship areas' for which no end use has been decided. If it can be shown that a stewardship area has high conservation value then it may be declared to be a protected area but if it is decided that the land should be used for commercial purposes then it may be leased or sold. New Zealand has been divided by the department into eight conservation regions, with the Waimarino split between the Wanganui and Hamilton regions. The boundary between the two regions follows State Highway 49 from Waiouru and passes through Ohakune along Clyde Street. Each region is divided into districts, with Tongariro district falling in the Hamilton region, and the Wanganui and Rangitikei districts in the Wanganui Region. Tongariro District takes control of Tongariro National Park, Tongariro Forest Park, Erua Forest Park, Rangataua Forest Park and Tokaanu Thermal Park. Tongariro's District Office is at Turangi and Region Office is at Hamilton. The Wanganui District

Office and Region Office is at Wanganui and the Rangitikei District Office is at Palmerston North.

Kaimanawa Forest Park is in the Taupo District of the Hamilton Region with its district office in Taupo.