Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Abel Tasman anniversaries marked

Abel Tasman anniversaries marked

Today marks the anniversary of two significant events in New Zealand’s cultural and natural heritage – the visit of Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642, and the creation of the national park which bears his name 300 years later, Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage says.

At Onetahua Marae today, Ms Sage represented the Government at the launch of First Encounters 375, a series of events in Golden Bay this month marking both anniversaries.

“When Abel Tasman’s ships came into Golden Bay/Mohua they were the first Europeans to visit Aotearoa New Zealand and encounter Māori. Cultural misunderstanding between the Dutch sailors and the Ngāti Tumatakokiri people, who were resident in the area, led to the deaths of four sailors,” Ms Sage says.

“Today we can celebrate collaboration between tangata whenua and those descended from European and other nationalities to protect New Zealand’s natural heritage.

“Golden Bay’s manawhenua iwi Ngāti Rārua, Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Tama are working with the Department of Conservation (DOC) to protect and enhance the park and tell the story of its cultural and natural heritage, including at the Abel Tasman National Monument between Pohara Beach and Ligar Bay and at Te Waikoropupū Springs.

“New Zealand owes the existence of Abel Tasman National Park to the inspirational conservationist Perrine Moncrieff, whose public campaign to protect the Nelson coast from logging led directly to its creation in 1942 under Prime Minister Peter Fraser.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Initially the park protected about 15,000 hectares, but with additions now covers more than 22,500 hectares. It is our smallest national park, albeit one enjoyed by 350,000 visitors a year.”

Ms Sage paid tribute to the ongoing work between DOC and other partners, including the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust and Project Janszoon, to help restore the park’s ecology.

“The Birdsong Trust has led control of wilding pines and carries out pest control to protect native species on park mainland and islands, while Project Janszoon has undertaken pest control, planting programmes and helped reintroduce native species such as kākā, kākāriki and pāteke/brown teal.

“In addition, Air New Zealand funds a biodiversity project in the north of the park, including around Totaranui campground, with a trapping network covering more than 2600 hectares.”

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.