National Parks of New Duveland

This is an article related to the Commonwealth of New Duveland

Map of New Duveland with the national parks marked in green, conservation parks in blue and land managed by department of conservation in brown.

The national parks of New Duveland are protected natural areas administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Although the national parks contain some of New Duveland's most beautiful scenery, the first few established were all focused on mountain scenery. Since the 1990s the focus has been on developing a more diverse representation of New Duveland landscapes. The parks are all culturally significant and many also contain historic features. Several national parks are AINESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Lagoons of New Caledonia, the Eastmere Hinterlands, and the Rua Whenua Norfolk Pine Forests.

There are currently 24 national parks across the country, with each province having at least a couple of their own.

The national parks are administered by the Department of Conservation "for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of the public".

National Parks Act

The National Parks Act of 1963 was established in order to codify the purpose, governance and selection of national parks. It begins by establishing the definition of a national park: {{quotation|It is hereby declared that the provisions of this Act shall have effect for the purpose of preserving in perpetuity as national parks, for their intrinsic worth and for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of the public, areas of New Zealand that contain scenery of such distinctive quality, ecological systems, or natural features so beautiful, unique, or scientifically important that their preservation is in the national interest.|National Parks Act of 1963, Part 1, section 4, subsection 1.

The National Parks Act goes on to state that the public will have freedom of entry and access to the parks, though this is subject to restrictions to ensure the preservation of native plants and animals and the welfare of the parks in general. Access to specially protected areas (550 km²) constituted under the act is by permit only. Under the Act, national parks are to be maintained in their natural state as far as possible to retain their value as soil, water and forest conservation areas. Native plants and animals are to be preserved and introduced plants and animals removed if their presence interferes with the natural wildlife. Development in wilderness areas established under the act is restricted to foot tracks and huts used for wild animal control or scientific research.

Services available for public use

The Act allows the Department of Conservation to provide hostels, huts, camping grounds, ski tows and similar facilities, parking areas, roading and tracks within the parks. In addition to these, the department also provides some accommodation, transport and other services at entry points to the parks, but these are also offered by other government agencies, voluntary organisations and private firms. More comprehensive services within the parks, such as guided walks and skiing tutorials, are privately provided with concessions from the department.

List of national parks

This table lists the current and former national parks from north to south.

  Green shading and asterisk Parks which form part of a AINESCO designated AINESCO World Heritage Site

National Park	Image	Area km2	Established	Location	Number of DOC huts	Description
Lagoons of New Caledonia		15,743	2008	New Caledonia	3	The New Caledonian barrier reef is a barrier reef located in New Caledonia to the north of the New Duveland Mainland, and is the longest continuous barrier reef in the world and the third largest after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The reef encloses a lagoon of 24,000 square kilometres (9,300 sq mi), which has an average depth of 25 metres (82 ft). The reefs lie up to 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the shore, but extend almost 200 kilometres (120 mi) to the Entrecasteaux reefs in the northwest. This northwestern extension encloses the Belep Islands and other sand cays. Several natural passages open out to the ocean. The Boulari passage, which leads to Nouméa, the capital and chief port of New Caledonia, is marked by the Amédée lighthouse.
Fougeré Reefs National Park		5,743	2008	Lapérouse	3	One of the largest reef systems in the world, composed of over 1,500 individual reefs. It hosts an outstanding level of marine biodiversity and is considered to be one of the richest areas in the world in terms of animal diversity. It is home to approximately 400 types of coral, and forms a critical habitat for many endangered species.
Montgeard Rainforests and Olympic Ranges National Park		5,743	2008	Lapérouse	20	An area of tropical rainforest spread along the extreme north of the Great Tasman Ranges. The area hosts an exceptional level of biodiversity, with at least 90 endemic species and one of the highest concentration of primitive taxa in the world. It is also an important area for unique and endangered birds.
Le Petit Désert Côtier National Park		5,253.71	1992	Lapérouse	10	Covering around 50% of New Duveland's only true desert, Le Petit Désert Côtier is one of the smallest deserts in the world and is home to important flora and fauna found nowhere else in New Duveland. Due to it's natural inhospitably, much of the region has been untouched for centuries, even from early Māori settlers, making it one of the most pristine areas in the entire world.
Mont Baker/Kaihanga Taro National Park		0	1963	Lapérouse	17	Located around Lapérouse's tallest peak, Mont Baker/Kaihanga Taro, this park is an important Moa breeding area and a popular destination for hikers.
Monts Saraméa National Park		0	1972	Devereaux‎‎, Lapérouse	12	Stadling the border of both Devereaux‎‎ and Lapérouse, the Saraméa Mountains (Monts Saraméa) are home to pristine subtropical rain forests, and is located almost halfway between Toulon and Espérance.
Northern Tasman Ranges National Park		0	1955	Devereaux‎‎, Lapérouse	26	The Northern Tasman Ranges National Park is located in the very south of Lapérouse and to the central west of Devereaux‎‎, and is home to a complex of impressively glaciated mountain scenery centred on Sommet de Whakaki.
Roto Nui National Park		0	1952	Tasman	15	Roto Nui, literal translation from Māori: 'Large Lake', is the largest lake in the country with a surface area of 675m2, and is home to some of the most unique fresh water fish in the world. Surrounding hilly areas are also included in the park, with tourist ferries and boating is heavily restricted on the lake itself, with private motor boats banned from the lake.
Lord Howe Island National Park		15.4	1982	Tasman	2	The Lord Howe Island National Park is the smallest national park in New Duveland. The island is the eroded remains of a seven-million-year-old shield volcano, the product of eruptions that lasted for about a half-million years. It is home to numerous endemic species, significant breeding colonies of seabirds, and the world's southernmost coral reef.
Puiatahi Island National Park		0	2010	Norfolk	6	Located entirely on Puiatahi Island, just over 200km to the north east of the Norfolk Mainland, this park contains some of the most unique wildlife in New Duveland, including the Puiatahi Dwarf Moa, which is a nationally endangered bird found only on the island's west coast.
Kei Runga Kapua/Mount Luiz National Park		0	1950	Tasman	12	An alpine park containing New Duveland's highest mountain, Kei Runga Kapua/Mount Luiz (4,132 m) and its longest glacier, Haupapa / Tasman Glacier (29 km). A hotspot for mountaineering, ski touring and scenic flights, the park is an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Plymouth Hinterlands National Park		0	1996	Tasman	25	The Plymouth Hinterlands is a remnant caldera of a much larger extinct volcano, Tiho Whakatupato. It is a Important Bird Area identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance in the conservation of several species of threatened birds. It is located between the cities of PLymouth and Onario of Tasman's central west coast, and is notable of having a more temperate wet climate than the surrounding dry, Mediterranean climate that is found in much of Tasman's west coast.
Tapaera Lakes National Park		0	1967	Moanarua‎, Tasman	8	The Tapaera Lakes is a region that predominantly covers a coastal lagoon ecosystem officially known as Tapaera Lakes. The system is fed by multiple rivers across Moanarua‎ and Tasman, and has 6 main lakes. The largest of which is Lake Tuari (actually a lagoon), with Lake Pukapuka and Kahu Lake close behind. The national park was formed in 1967 as a sanctuary for many species of birds, animals and fish. It attracts many migratory species. It provides refuge for these animals during some of western New Duveland's regular droughts. The 467 square kilometres (180 sq mi) also supports coastal dune systems, lagoons and coastal vegetation.
Anson Ranges National Park		0	1996	Norfolk	10	The Anson Ranges located in Norfolk's north western regions of their mainland contains the Rua Whenua Norfolk Pine Forests, a AINESCO World Heritage Site with mountainous terrain full of the endemic Nofolk Pine Trees and is home to some of the most unique plant and animal species on earth, including the Norfolk Moa bird.
Tiango Coast National Park		0	1983	McKenzie	22	Located along McKenzie's rugged north-east coast, the Tiango Coast National Park contains some of the most impressive coastal cliff formations in the country, where the average elevation between sea level can be as high as 500m only a few hundred metres inland. The town of Tomkin is surrounded by the park, and has become a hotspot for tourists coming from the bigger cities of McKenzie and Devereaux‎‎.
Te tihi o Wirama National Park		1,672.19	1984	Moanarua‎	22	The Te tihi o Wirama National Park commonly referred to as The Wiramas, is a national park located in the north west of Moanarua‎. The 167,219-hectare national park is situated between Limerick and Bantry on the Western coast, 200 kilometres north west of Macquarie and 400 kilometres north west of Tasbury. Proclaimed as a national park on 1 July 1984, the park was listed on the National Heritage List on 15 December 2006 for its outstanding natural beauty and being one of the richest Māori rock carving sites in New Duveland. The Wiramas feature a striking series of mountain ranges of sandstone.
Southern Tasman Ranges National Park		1,672.19	1950	Moanarua‎, McKenzie	56	The largest national park in New Duveland and one of the largest in the world, the park covers a significant portion of the Southern Tasman Ranges that form the border between Moanarua‎ and McKenzie. It is well known for its scenery, with deep fiords, glacial lakes, mountains and waterfalls, making it a popular tourist destination. It is also located between the largest and third largest cities in New Duveland, Tasbury and Lisburn respectively, making it easy for tourists to get to the park. While the park is bisected by several freeways and highways, such as the A6 Freeway, there are hundreds of dedicated Wildlife crossings across the park to ensure that populations of protected Moa birds are protected. The park is within 70km from the centre of Tasbury, and just under 180km from the city centre of Lisburn. THe adventure capital of New Duveland, Totara, is located at the northern edge of the parl deep within the Karikari Valley.
Kingston Ranges National Park		0	2002	Norfolk	27	The largest national park in Norfolk, and contains large areas of temperate rain forests, and even several glaciers located along the island's highest peaks including the Taneatua Glacier of Taneatua Peak, and the several glaciers of Mt McStanley.
Rangatira National Park		0	1890	McKenzie	55	New Duveland's first national park, recognised as one of the 27 World Heritage Sites that are of both outstanding natural and cultural value. The park includes several sacred Māori sites and three active volcanoes, Mt Abel/Whare Rangatira, Mt Mullaghclogher and Mt Bingorms.
Eastmere Hinterlands National Park		0	2008	McKenzie	46	Located within an hours drive from Lisburn, the Eastmere Hinterlands are a rugged mountainous landscape left to the elements for millions of years. The area is one of the most pristine wildernesses in McKenzie. It hosts the best surviving illustration of ancient Gondwanan wildlife, much of which is rare and unique to the area.
Kaiwharawhara National Park		0	1987	Norfolk	46	The park ranges from on or near the coastline to the peaks of the Kaiwharawhara Range. The park protects a limestone karst area. The park contains several caves, of which Metro Cave / Te Ananui Cave is a commercial tourist attraction. The majority of the park is forested with a wide variety of vegetation. The small settlement of Matauwai, adjacent to the Pancake Rocks tourist attraction, lies on the edge of the park. The park is also located near the towns of Smiths Beach, Summerlands, Waitangi, and Port Meeanee.
Mangaotaki Valley National Park		0	1920	McKenzie	31	Mangaotaki Valley is the wettest part of Mainland New Duveland, holding the record for the highest rainfall in an hour, a day and in a calendar year at 101 mm, 697 mm, and 16,032 mm respectively. It is among the top 5 highest, annual, average rainfall areas in the world.
Hauta Point National Park		505	1898	McKenzie	12	Hauta Point National Park commonly known as Hauta Point, is located at the southernmost point of the New Duveland mainland, and is the southernmost national park on the mainland. It is known for its rainforests, beaches and abundant wildlife. A lighthouse on the south-east corner of the peninsula is the southernmost lighthouse on mainland New Duveland and has operated continuously since 1855. The Park is highly popular with bushwalkers and campers, and has a number of lodges and serviced camping areas at a camping area near the mouth of Taupahi.
New Duveland Sub-Antarctic Islands National Park		753.64	1998	McKenzie	2	Comprising of the Auckland Islands, Macquarie Island and smaller surrounding islets including Bishop and Clerk Islets and Judge and Clerk Islets. The islands are noted for the diversity and density of wildlife, with high levels of endemism. They are critical breeding ground for a range of species, and host huge breeding colonies of seabirds, penguins and sea lions. In Particular, Macquarie island lies atop a segment of the Macquarie Ridge, the island is the only place on earth where the mantle is exposed above sea level. It contains evidence of seafloor spreading. It was inscribed for its unique geological value. The area also includes a marine national park that includes 90% of the entire

Proposed national parks

Many areas currently listed as Conservation Parks have been proposed as becoming entirely new future National Parks, or to be merged with some existing parks, such as the Mt Ardnageer Park in McKenzie joining with the larger Southern Tasman Ranges National Park, and the creation of a Lord Howe Ranges National Park out of a collection of conservation parks in and around the Lord Howe Ranges of Tasman's central west coast. This particular area includes already preserved areas such as Lord Howe Island and Ball's Pyramid.

Montgeard Rainforests are another debated addition, with the latest proposals being to merge the park with the Olympic Mountains National Park just to the south across the NR 41 highway. Current Greens policy would also be to expand the footprint of the Olympic Mountains N.P into adjacent conservation areas as well. The rain forests are already listed on the AINESCO World Heritage Site due to having some of the highest concentration of primitive taxa in the world. It is also an important area for unique and endangered birds.

The main limitation of expanding national parks by current government, is their legal responsibility to ensure that the areas are free of as much introduced flora and fauna as possible, as current introduced specieis such as the European hedgehog, Deer and brushtailed possums, to name a few, have already and continue to cause extensive damage to local ecosystems.

Mining concerns

In 2005 the New Duveland Government proposed removing some national park and conservation areas from Schedule 4 protection of the Crown Minerals Act which prohibits mining in those areas. In July the government abandoned the proposal after receiving a large number of submissions, most of which opposed mining. In all national parks it is illegal for any mining or logging activities, while in land that is managed by the Department of Conservation, mining can usually go ahead after careful analysis.

See also

• Biodiversity of New Duveland
• Geography of New Duveland