Scenery preservation in New Zealand

Our picturesque heritage

'The time has arrived in the history of our colony when our scenery should be preserved, when the historic and beautiful places should be for all time conserved, and when we should do something to protect the thermal springs, which are of so great value to the country, from being destroyed and from falling into the hands of private individuals.'

Premier Richard Seddon outlined this vision for 'God's own country' in 1903 as he steered the Scenery Preservation Act through Parliament. This Act was an important landmark in preserving New Zealand's natural and historic heritage. By the time it was replaced in 1953, over 1300 reserves had been formed under the legislation.

The Scenery Preservation Act was a new way of looking at the land. No longer was land's value purely economic. It also had scenic, scientific, historic and natural curiosity values that made it worth preserving for future generations to enjoy.

By the time the Act was repealed to make way for the Reserves and Domains Act in 1953 and the Historic Places Act in 1954, over 1300 reserves had been created, covering over 1 million acres.