Park plan no easy task

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 7, 14 July 1987, Page 1

Park plan no easy task

The opening of the 74,000 hectare Whanganui National Park earlier this year was the last grand gesture of the 111 year-old Department of Lands and Survey. It was a fitting gift for a Department on the eve of its demise to bequeath to the New Zealand public, and a fitting challenge to leave the drawing up of the management plan for the country's newest National Park to the new Department of Conservation. However, drafting a management plan for a Park so vastly different from all other National Parks will be no easy task, according to the Whanganui National Park management plan submission prepared by the King Country Branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. "There is likely to be much pressure from groups to incorporate new and novel activities with the Park," says the society. While this innovative thinking is not to be discouraged, the submission cautions against over-en-thusiasm where basic philosophies and management policies for National Parks tend to take second place in the excitement of it all.

In particular, the future management of the Whanganui River is dealt with in some detail. Although the Wanganui River is not legally incorporated in the Park, it is pointed out that in the eyes of the general public and overseas tourists, the River is synonymous with the Park. "Indeed, the Park is referred to as the Wanganui River National Park far more often than its correct title. That this public misconception has crept in is not surprising, for the recreational and tourism advantages of a River beginning at the snowline, passing over spectacular rapids, through steep gorges, high country forest, farmlands and townships and then to quiet waters through virgin lowland forest are immense - and cannot be overstated." It is suggested that this management plan cannot properly address and cater for the full potential of the Park unless the Wanganui River is incorporated. To this end, five statutory avenues to incorporate the River into the Park are presented and it has been recommended that these measures be investigated in cont'donp. 17

Park plan no easy task

cont'd from p. 1 consultation with the appropriate parties. The importance of maintaining this type of lowland forest habitat as a food source for bird species is also covered by the King Country Branch submission. In particular, the submission calls for the dismantling of the current "minimum flow" regime and the institution of a "proportional flow" regime. National Parks' funding is also covered: "...historically their funding has not reflected their value - both in terms of the stressfree and healthy pursuits they cater for and the tourist currency they attract - with seven out of ten visitors to New Zealand counting a visit to a National Park during their stay as a priority." Therefore, an adequate level of core funding to maintain staff and conservation programmes is needed.