New Zealand The National Park System By Jarek Vetter and Nikiya Lyles

Tramping A overnight hike is a rough definition New Zealand is an optimal spot for locations that are relatively untainted New Zealanders often take part in “tramping” and work hard to keep their lands in their natural state

Factual information There are 14 National Parks in New Zealand that take up about 25,000 km². There are 20 forest parks that take up around 18,000 km². There are around 3,500 reserves in New Zealand that cover around 15,000 km².

In 1980 New Zealand passed The National Park Act. It keeps areas where the scenery is so unique, or having an ecological system that is scientifically important for the preservation of the land which is a national interest. The act also gives the public access to the parks. They only need to preserve the natural habitat IE not damage animals, native plants, or the land itself.

The mountains in Fiordlands (1952) and Mount Aspiring (1964) National Parks. Both parks are located on the South Island, the forest you see has had little changed from prehistoric times and it is absolutely unique compared to other forests. Mount Aspiring is New Zealand’s second highest peak at 3,036 m. Firodland is the largest national park in New Zealand (12,519 km²) and on of the largest in the world

Te Urewera National Park (1954) neighbors. Whirinaki forest park contains the most native forest in the North Island. Lake Waikaremoana is inside the park, and is suppose to have beautiful shorelines.

Tongariro National Park (1887) was New Zealand’s very first national park. It houses three active Volcanoes which are Ruaphehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro.  Actually a boiling mud pit in Tongariro National Park. Tongariro is considered one of the three great walks in New Zealand.

Abel Tasman National Park (1942) has golden beaches and many tidal inlets. It is the smallest National Park in New Zealand. Nelson Lakes National Park (1956) mountainous and rugged. It has forested shores around Lake Rotoiti and Rotoroa. Paparoa National Park (1987) is between Wesport and Greymouth. It houses the Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki.

Egmont National Park (1900) parades a symmetrical cone of a dormant volcano and is a provincial landmark. Whanganui National Park (1986) borders with the Whanganui River. The river is not actually in the park. Kahurangi National Park (1996) has ancient landforms and flora and fauna that are very unique. It is the second largest National Park.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Established in 1953, and has the highest mountain in New Zealand. (3,754 m) Tasman Glacier (29 km). Mostly mountaineering, skiing, and flight tours in this park.

Arthur’s Pass National Park (1929) is also a mountainous and rugged park. It lies between the Southern Alps. Westland National Park (1960) this park has it all: glaciers, lakes, rainforest, and old gold mining towns by the coast.

Rakiura National Park The most recent National Park of New Zealand. (2002) 1,500 km² Contains Stewart Island and Rakiura

The End nternational/hikinginnewzealand/