08 March 2002

Green Party co-leader Rod Donald today congratulated the Conservation Minister Sandra Lee on her proposal to create two new wilderness areas on the West Coast of the South Island.

The areas cover 88,000 hectares in the Southern Alps and adjoining the Paparoa Range.

"The outstanding features of these areas make them deserving of wilderness status and the preservation protections which come with that," said Mr Donald.

"The stunning mountains of the South Island are at the heart of New Zealand wilderness. It's easy to think they will remain the same forever, unmoved by the actions of humans, but unfortunately even mountains and other very remote places are being changed by human activities.

"The wilderness status allows people to enjoy the unique ecosystems in these areas in their natural state."

ENDS

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