A Red Letter Day

Forest and Bird, Volume 21, Issue 1, 1 February 1990, Page 2

A Red Letter Day

Gerard Hutching

O N 8 DECEMBER 1989 West Otago’s Red Hills were formally added to Mt Aspiring National Park — 30 years after the idea was first discussed and 21 years after the first formal proposal that it become a national park. In that time there have been endless consultations with interest groups, the last of which was in 1987 when the public were asked for their views on whether the 27,000ha area should become a national park. The answer was a resounding yes from 96 percent of the 3500 public — many of them Forest and Bird members — who wrote to the Government. Federated Mountain Clubs, and especially former FMC president Les Molloy, must take much credit for achieving national park status for the Red Hills. Forest and Bird and the Otago Parks and Reserves Board have also played an important role in championing the park proposal. The major opposition to national park status — mining interests — finally lost heart as they realised public opposition and lack of a market for asbestos (because of its health hazards) would never see mining become a viable option for the area.

The extended Mt Aspiring National Park lies at the heart of the proposed South West or Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area. The World Heritage Committee will evaluate the South West nomination for its international significance later this year. #&