South West New Zealand World Heritage
In 1990 the Westland and Mount Cook National Park, Fiordland
National Park including Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound,
and Mt Aspiring National Park from the Humboldt's to
the Haast River, was awarded World Heritage Status for
its outstanding universal value as a site of natural
and cultural heritage and was named Te Wahipounamu -
South West New Zealand.
There are over 830 designated World Heritage Sites listed
from 183 member countries, all recognizing that there
are some places on earth so important that their enjoyment
and protection is an international responsibility, thus
protecting and preserving their legacy for all future
Places become a World Heritage site because they represent
the best examples of the world's natural and cultural
heritage. These include the Great Barrier Reef - Australia
; Yellowstone and Grand Canyon National Parks - USA
; and The Great Wall of China.
New Zealand has three sites of international importance
- Tongariro National Park
- Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand
- Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand
Wahipounamu (The Place of the Greenstone) has been caved
and shaped by years of glaciations, receding to show
the most amazing fjords, rocky coasts, towering cliffs,
lakes and waterfalls. Back to Top
Two-thirds of the park is covered with southern beech
and podocarps, some of which are over 800 years old.
Large leaved Red Beech trees are found on the warm rich
alluvial valley floors, while mountain and silver beech
dominate higher up in the valley's.
Kea, the only alpine parrot in the world, lives in the
National Parks, as does the rare and endangered takahe,
a large flightless bird. Kiwi and native bats have been
reported in the Caples and Greenstone Valley's , but
there have been no recent confirmed sightings.
The Dart Valley has a sizeable populations of the endangered
mohua, or yellowhead birds and the presence of long-tailed
bats. Other forest birds such as kakariki or parakeet,
robin, tomtit, fantail and brown creeper thrive in the
area. Whio (or blue duck) are found in fast flowing
streams and rivers in the valleys, and the noisy paradise
ducks are conspicuous inhabitants of the river flats.
Remnants of the giant Moa bird have been found in both
the Rees and the Routeburn Valley's . These huge flightless
birds stood approximately 3 meters tall and weighed
about 250 kilograms. It is estimated that there were
about 11 different species of Moa around New Zealand
but all have been extinct for several hundred of years.
The best way to find out more about this amazing areas
is to go on one of the great tours available. Contact
Us to find out more about activities that
will take you to the heart of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage
Area's natural and cultural history.
The New Zealand Possum was introduced from Australia
in the 18th century for the sole purpose of establishing
a fur trade. This nocturnal rodent quickly adapted to
its new environment of lush native bush and temperate
It is now estimated that New Zealand's forests are host
to over 70 million possum, eating an average of 21300
tonnes of vegetation a night, devastating New Zealand's
native forest's and birdlife.
Possum Fur manufactures are currently promoting its
fur and pelts as an environmentally friendly product.
Excellent for outdoor and fashion garments, souvenirs
and leather. This versatile fur is unique as it is hollow
in the centre of the hair, creating a thermos which
can keep all your extremities warm in the harshest conditions.
Find out how to Buy
a Possum Save a Tree
STOATES, RATS, MICE
introduction of mice, rats, and stoats has had a devastating
effect on New Zealand's native birdlife, including the
already endangered mohua (yellowhead bird), which is
featured on the NZ$100 note.
Many mohua, around the South Island are now extinct
but for a small number of breeding sites. The Dart and
Caples beech forests can boast being one of the largest
nesting sites in New Zealand, although still under terrible
threat from growing rodent problems.
Department of Conservation (DOC) has set up an initiative
in the area called 'Operation Ark ' to monitor the effects
of rodents and respond to any predator increases. This
will hopefully help protect the Mohua and other rare
breeds such as the long-tailed cuckoo, Kakariki (yellow
fronted parakeet), whio (blue duck), as well as the
scarce long and short tailed bats.
Didymo or rock snot is a microscopic alga currently
present in the Von, Hawea, Clutha Rivers and Lake Dunstan
All those using waterways anywhere in the South Island
will be required to clean all equipment (including boat,
trailer and clothing) before moving from one water system
For more information contact the Department
of Conservation www.doc.govt.nz,
Fish & Game www.fishandgame.org.nz
Southland Region, or Biosecurity NZ
To find out more information on guided
tours higlighting this areas amazing natural history