World Heritage Areas More information New Zealand has three world heritage areas: Tongariro National Care for the environment Park, South-West New Zealand - Te Wähipounamu, and the Toitu te whenua Exploring subantarctic islands of Antipodes, Auckland, Enderby, • Respect natural and cultural heritage Campbell, Bounty, and Snares. Four National Parks • Care for plants, animals and historic relics lie within Te Wähipounamu: Westland / Tai Poutini, • Keep waterways clean Parks Fiordland, Aoraki / Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring. • Keep your equipment clean to avoid spreading Tour operators visit the subantarctic islands. weeds and diseases NEW ZEALAND FREE • Take all your rubbish with you • Use toilets provided • Light fires only where permitted • Stay on tracks. Camp carefully • Share the outdoors. Be considerate of others Sea lions, Auckland Island. DOC Pleurophyllum speciosum, Campbell Island. DOC Tuatara, Great Barrier Is. Historic heritage Craig Potten Taonga - Mäori Heritage Visitor Centres Many places within Aotearoa (New Zealand) are considered by DOC visitor centres have a wealth of detailed Mäori as taonga (treasures). They represent the identity, spirit recreation and conservation information and and history of Mäori ancestors. DOC and Mäori work together to friendly, helpful staff. protect these special places. For non-DOC bookings, transport or accommod- Historic places ation contact any i-site information centre. New Zealand’s historic heritage is rich with remains of Mäori Security pä sites, battle sites, historic settlements and Theft from vehicles happens. Don’t make it easy for thieves, museums house treasured relics of past times. remember to lock your vehicle and take valuables with you. Many railway and gold mining heritage sites are Feedback preserved as walking tracks, often with tunnels, Feedback about this brochure is welcome: [email protected] bridges and other evidence of engineering achievement. Websites Department of Conservation www.doc.govt.nz Mountain Safety Council www.mountainsafety.org.nz Historic Places Trust www.historic.org.nz New Zealand Tourism www.newzealand.com Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand - www.teara.govt.nz Published by Department of Conservation, Wellington. April 2008 9 4 2 1 0 0 5 1 7 0 0 0 9 > Remains of two miner's cottages, Welshtown, Bendigo, Central Otago. Cover image: Lake Wanaka in evening light. John Greenwood, DOC RS (Rob Suisted: www.naturespics.com) Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project, Meet some of the locals See New Zealand’s wildlife Nelson Lakes National Park Kiwi Walk among honeydew beech ‘Mainland’ and off-shore island sanctuaries open to the public are New Zealand’s national emblem, kiwi feed at night trees. Get up early to hear the the best places to see New Zealand wildlife. They are intensively rummaging for insects with their long beaks. They dawn chorus. There are walks managed to exclude introduced predator species such as are threatened by introduced predators. Kiwi is near the lake and in the park, rats, stoats and possums. Many native species are threatened, also a common term for New Zealanders. and a DOC campground beside endangered, or vulnerable. Sanctuaries are their safe haven. Lake Rotoiti. Right: Bellbird Walk. DOC Tuatara Tiritiri Matangi Island, near Auckland The last member of an ancient group of reptiles, Tiritiri was once intensively Hurunui Mainland Island, unchanged for 225 million years. farmed but has been replanted Canterbury with native trees and birds This is the largest mainland Hoiho / yellow eyed pengiun reintroduced including tieke island. Birds include kaka, Thought to be the world’s rarest penguin, they can be (North Island saddleback), karearea, pipiwharauroa (shining found along the south east coast of the South Island. Hoiho pateke (brown teal), kiwi, cuckoo), kea, great spotted kiwi, means ‘noise shouter’ referring to their shrill call, you can takahe, hihi (stitchbird), kokako, kakariki, and toutouwai. usually hear them before you see them! and toutouwai (North Island Left: South Island robin. DOC Giant weta robin). There is a small visitor Giant weta have remained unchanged for 190 millionon centre and plenty of walks. Wildlife Centres years. You can see them on off-shore islands, and theirthheir Ferries depart Auckland most Pukaha, Mt Bruce National smaller cousins in parks and gardens everywhere. days. Wildlife Centre, Wairarapa Kea Kapiti Island, near Wellington See rare and endangered birds Social and mischievous, these birds have strong beaks. Visit the south or north end in breeding aviaries including Keep an eye on your boots, packs, car mirrors and lunch. of the island, enjoy short or kiwi, kokako, kakarirki and kaka. Seen only in alpine and sub-alpine areas of the South Island. long walks and see many of Wild eels are fed at 1.30pm New Zealand’s rarest birds. and kaka at 3pm every day, Weka An access permit and boat accompanied by a ranger talk. Famous for its feisty and curious personality, this large booking is required. Learn about the conservation flightless bird is often mistaken for kiwi. See weka on Images - top: Takahe on Tiritiri Matangi effort in the education centre and off-shore islands and in most South Island National Parks. Island. DOC enjoy refreshments in the café. Tui Left: Kapiti Is kaka. RS The short walk is accessible for Their melodic song and distinctive flying motion Below: Find out more about unique kauri people of all abilities. of rapid flapping then gliding is heard and seen snails at Trounson Kauri Park. DOC Te Anau Wildlife Centre throughout most parts of New Zealand. Chatty, friendly Bottom: Kokako bonding pair, Boundary tui is also the icon for DOC visitor centres. Stream. DOC Walk from the Fiordland visitor centre to the wildlife centre Takahe Mainland Islands along the lake front. See Thought to be extinct until 1948 when a few birds were takahe, weka, kakariki, tui, kea, Trounson Kauri Park, discovered in Fiordland. You can see takahe on Kapiti and and kaka in breeding avaries. Northland Tiritiri Matangi Islands, and at Te Anau Wildlife Centre. Enjoy the circuit walk in the Kakï (black stilt) visitor hide, Kereru rainforest and listen for birds. Twizel, Canterbury Very beautiful birds, seen in forests and suburban gardens. There is a campground and Learn about the kakï recovery For information go to www.kereru.org.nz kiwi may be heard or seen at breeding programme during night. a guided tour of the hide. Kakï Pukeko Boundary Stream, near Napier are highly endangered. Seen all over New Zealand, these iconic wading birds A reserve with plenty of walking Right: Pukaha, Mt Bruce aviary. DOC feed in grasslands. tracks. Endangered species Right: Te Anau Wildlife Centre. DOC New Zealand fur seal include kokako, North Island See them on beaches in many places. Keep your brown kiwi, kereru, kaka and Left: Black stilt pair and eggs Cass River. distance - they bite! karearea (NZ falcon). DOC Hazards Huts Backcountry huts Visiting parks Find out about hazards in the area you plan There are four categories of backcountry hut to visit, such as extreme weather, geothermal defined by the facilities provided in or near them: NEW ZEALAND FREE Welcome to New Zealand’s outdoors and the places managed activity, flooded rivers, avalanche and land slips. ‘Great Walk’, ‘Serviced’, ‘Standard’, ‘Basic / Bivvy’. by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Over 30% of New Some services and facilities operate on a Zealand’s protected areas are comprised of national, forest, Tracks seasonal basis, so plan ahead. Food and wildlife, marine and historic parks and reserves. The landscapes, DOC’s 12,500 kilometres of track are equipment is not available in most parks. The vegetation, and activities you can participate in are diverse. developed differently. Choose a track that suits Backcountry Huts brochure provides details. This brochure highlights just some of the must see places and your skills, fitness and the experience you the plants and animals to look for. The DOC website and visitor prefer. Be realistic. Campsites centres have more information to help plan a trip. There are over 200 vehicle accessible campsites Easy Access Short Walk in three categories: ‘Serviced’, ‘Standard’ and Planning a visit • Easy walking for up to an hour ‘Basic’. Serviced campsites have the most Conservation There are over 12,500 km of walking tracks, • Suitable for people of all abilities, wheelchairs, Campsites facilities and Basic have the least. Details in the 950 huts and 250 campsites in all areas of New buggies and strollers SOUTH ISLAND FREE Conservation Campsites brochures. Zealand to choose from. • Walking shoes Fees When to go Short Walk Park entry is free but there are fees for some Summer (December – March) is best for most • Easy walking for up to an hour facilities and services. Campsites fees range from outdoor activities. Winter (June – September) • Suitable for people of most ages and fitness levels free to $15. For huts, a Backcountry Hut Pass is cold and wet in most places. This makes • Walking shoes is $90 for 12 months use at most Serviced and INCLUDING: Maps, photos and facilities skiing, hot pools and short walks popular. Walking Track Standard huts. Basic huts are free to use. Great Weather • Gentle walking from a few minutes to a day Walk Hut Passes are $10 - $45. www.doc.govt.nz New Zealand’s maritime climate and southern • Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and Hunting and fishing latitudes mean highly changeable weather; a abilities A hunting permit or fishing licence is required. Hunting permits can lovely sunny day can soon change to rain, low • Walking boots or sturdy shoes be obtained from DOC visitor centres or offices. Fishing permits cloud, fog or even snow. Overnight tramping (hiking / bush walking) are available from Fish & Game New Zealand www.fishandgame. It’s important to check the latest weather A reasonable level of fitness is needed.