EDS welcomes Sunday Telegraph announcement

Thursday, 11 December 2014, 2:42 pm
Press Release: Environmental Defence Society

Media Release: EDS welcomes SundayTelegraph announcement

EDS has welcomed the UK Sunday Telegraph’s announcement that New Zealand has been voted the best country in the world for tourists to visit.

“We join with the Prime Minister, John Key, in celebrating this exalted status,” said EDS Chairman Gary Taylor.

“Tourism is now probably our biggest export sector. It employs 110,000 people, more than dairying and horticulture combined. It plays a central part in delivering our standard of living and economic welfare. But its values are often overlooked and it is something of a quiet achiever.

“Tourism, both domestic and international, is based on New Zealand’s outstanding landscapes and our unique wildlife. Those are the key attributes that have driven New Zealand to the top of the world rankings in this latest survey.

“Our landscapes are famously diverse for such a small country, from the iconic tussock grasslands of the Mackenzie Country to the pristine waters of the Marlborough Sounds; from the volcanic mountains and plains of the Tongariro National Park and Lake Taupo to the stunning coastal beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula.

“In addition, our natural heritage is unique, with 90% of our birds and 80% of our plant life found nowhere else in the world. The kiwi is a famous symbol of our country, which was highlighted when the German Chancellor Angela Merkel requested an encounter with a kiwi in the wild during her visit here last month.

“But many of these values are under threat. EDS has had to litigate to protect the Mackenzie Country, the Marlborough Sounds, the landscapes around Taupo and New Chums Beach on the Coromandel – all in the past few years – from inappropriate development.

“Our biodiversity is in decline – still – in spite of massive efforts by thousands of volunteers and increasing support from business. Our most iconic bird, the one all those Telegraph travellers know best, will be functionally extinct by mid-century if present trends continue.

“So what EDS would like to say to the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism is that he and his government should push harder, much harder, to protect our outstanding landscapes and to turn around the alarming continuing decline in biodiversity.

“We note with approval that Mr Key has said he wants to see the National-led government adopt greener policies during this term.

“So let’s see reasonable RMA reforms that don’t lower environmental standards; more national direction on protecting landscapes and nature; massively increased funding for the Department of Conservation to step up the war on predators (maybe by reassigning some of the millions allocated as subsidies for irrigation); and a fresh recognition that New Zealand’s environment has real economic value that needs protection.

“New Zealand may be the best tourist destination in the world but we need to take positive action to protect the environmental qualities that make it so,” Mr Taylor concluded.

Read the full Sunday Telegraph article.

© Scoop Media

Environmental Defence Society

EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.

Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non- profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.

EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.

EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.

EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.

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