The Haast Experience

Forest and Bird, Volume 19, Issue 1, 1 February 1988, Page 8

The Haast Experience

Ian Rendall

oo often the residents of South Westland have been depicted in a somewhat less than flattering manner. We would like to dispel the ‘‘chainsaw and box of matches’’ myth, once and for all. In fact, we would like to invite wilderness connoisseurs to add Haast to their ‘‘Must See"’ list. Haast can delight you, it can frustrate you, but most of all it will challenge you. This is an environment which can bring endless enjoyment to those able to meet its challenges. A very wide range of activities can be arranged. Forest and coastal walks, historic Chinese gold workings, hunting, fishing, jet-boating, scenic flights, canoeing, rafting,etc. We have penguins, bitterns, falcons, kaka, fern birds, carnivorous snails, and fur seals, to mention but a few. In fact, the Haast area can Offer a very wide range of activities to suit every pocket and ability. We locals think that we can enhance the Haast experience, and we are very keen to become involved. We at this time are very actively in-

volved in promotion, and would like to extend an unconditional welcome to all conservationists. Come and marvel at our mountain, rave about our rivers, fantasize about our forests and enjoy our exaggerations. Ideally, the Haast Experience should relax the mind, sharpen the senses, purify the soul and exercise the body. Surely, the complete experience.