Aotea Conservation Park opened

The new Aotea Conservation Park on Great Barrier Island, the first such park in the Auckland region, has opened.

The creation of the park aims to provide increased public access to the island’s breath-taking beauty, while safeguarding its natural treasures and unique species.

Created from reclassified stewardship land, Aotea Conservation Park spreads over more than 12,000 hectares – representing 43% of the island.

Opening the park, New Zealand Conservation Minister Maggie Barry stated “Aotea will bring significant tourism, recreation and conservation benefits to the island and the Auckland region (and) I have no doubt visitors will enjoy walking through its forests and spectacular coastal landscapes so close to our largest city.”

“It protects not only the landscape and native forests of the island for everyone to enjoy, but also helps ensure a future for rare animals like the chevron skink.”

Great Barrier is a crucial habitat for the chevron skink, which is one of New Zealand’s rarest reptiles, the North Island kaka, the pateke/brown teal and the black petrel.

Its forests contain mature kauri trees and are home to the Great Barrier tree daisy, a plant found only on the island.

An advisory committee of up to 10 members, drawn from the local community and iwi, will be established to assist the Department of Conservation running the park. Nominations open next week and will close at the end of May.

$2.5 million has been invested in repairing damage to tracks, huts and other island infrastructure after storm in 2014.

14th February 2015 - HERITAGE ZONE HANDED TO THE PEOPLE OF AUCKLAND 

6th December 2014 - NGĀI TAHU TOURISM BUYS NEW ZEALAND GUIDED NATURE WALKS 

13th August 2012 - AUCKLAND REGIONAL PARKS TO THRIVE UNDER LONG-TERM PLAN

7th February 2011 - DOC GIVES CONSENT FOR WAKEBOARD PARK LEASE AT AOTEA LAGOON 

18th May 2010 - ‘TREE-MENDOUS’ KAURI TOURISM ATTRACTION FOR SALE

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