Author(s): Raewyn Peart

Natural History

This report explores the catastrophic loss of New Zealand's special places to inappropriate subdivision and development. It follows on from "Reclaiming our Heritage: The New Zealand Landscape Conference" that was held in July 2003. That conference began to scope the scale of the problem and highlight some of the key issues. This report builds on that base and provides the first comprehensive look at the impact of the loss of landscape on our cultural identity and economic well-being. By presenting five detailed case studies where outstanding and significant landscapes have been lost or are under imminent threat, Raewyn Peart issues a wake-up call to all New Zealanders. The rural open spaces, unspoiled wilderness and sublime coastlines that we all cherish are in the process of being degraded by an unprecedented development boom, fueled by low interest rates and facilitated by poor planning and decision-making. Even though the Resource Management Act requires councils to protect special landscapes, many councils have yet to identify where these are. This report highlights the importance of landscape to our economic welfare. We cannot afford to lose our distinctiveness in a crowded international marketplace.