Traverse High Country 2025 is a comprehensive land management plan that aims to protect and enhance the high-country region of New Zealand’s South Island. The plan was developed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) in partnership with iwi (Mori tribes) and other stakeholders. It covers an area of over 1 million hectares and includes some of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes, such as Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Southern Alps.
The plan has a number of goals, including:
- Protecting the region’s natural and cultural values
- Improving public access and recreation opportunities
- Supporting sustainable economic development
- Mitigating the impacts of climate change
Traverse High Country 2025 is a significant plan that will help to ensure that the high-country region remains a special place for generations to come. The plan is based on the principles of partnership, sustainability, and adaptive management. It is a testament to the commitment of DOC and its partners to working together to protect New Zealand’s natural heritage.
1. Protection
Protection is a key component of Traverse High Country 2025. The plan seeks to protect the region’s natural and cultural values, including its unique flora and fauna, and its significance to Mori culture. This is important because the high-country region is home to a wide range of native plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. The region is also home to a number of significant Mori cultural sites.
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Protection of flora and fauna
The plan includes a number of measures to protect the region’s flora and fauna, including the establishment of new protected areas, the control of introduced pests and predators, and the restoration of native habitats. -
Protection of cultural values
The plan also includes a number of measures to protect the region’s cultural values, including the recognition of Mori cultural sites, the development of cultural management plans, and the involvement of Mori in the management of the region.
The protection of the region’s natural and cultural values is essential for the long-term health and vitality of the high-country region. The plan’s focus on protection will help to ensure that this special place is preserved for future generations.
2. Access
Improving public access and recreation opportunities in the high-country region is a key goal of Traverse High Country 2025. The plan recognizes that the region’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities are a major draw for visitors, and it seeks to ensure that these activities are managed in a sustainable way that protects the region’s natural and cultural values.
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Improved access
The plan includes a number of measures to improve public access to the region, including the development of new walking and biking trails, the improvement of existing tracks, and the provision of new campsites and other facilities. -
Sustainable recreation
The plan also includes a number of measures to ensure that recreation activities in the region are sustainable. These measures include the promotion of responsible camping, the control of introduced pests and predators, and the restoration of native habitats. -
Community involvement
The plan recognizes the importance of community involvement in managing recreation in the region. The plan includes a number of mechanisms for community involvement, including the establishment of a community advisory group and the development of community-based management plans. -
Monitoring and evaluation
The plan includes a number of measures to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of its access and recreation strategies. This monitoring and evaluation will help to ensure that the plan is achieving its goals and that recreation activities in the region are being managed in a sustainable way.
The plan’s focus on improving access and recreation opportunities while also ensuring that these activities are sustainable is essential for the long-term health and vitality of the high-country region. The plan’s strategies will help to ensure that the region remains a special place for generations to come.
3. Development
Economic development is an important part of Traverse High Country 2025. The plan recognizes that the region has a number of economic opportunities, including tourism and grazing, and it seeks to support these opportunities in a way that is sustainable and protects the region’s natural and cultural values.
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Tourism
Tourism is a major economic driver in the high-country region. The plan includes a number of measures to support sustainable tourism development, such as the development of new tourism products and experiences, the improvement of visitor facilities, and the promotion of responsible tourism practices. -
Grazing
Grazing is another important economic activity in the high-country region. The plan includes a number of measures to support sustainable grazing practices, such as the development of grazing management plans, the control of introduced pests and predators, and the restoration of native habitats. -
Other economic opportunities
The plan also supports other economic opportunities in the region, such as forestry, mining, and renewable energy development. The plan includes a number of measures to ensure that these activities are carried out in a sustainable way that protects the region’s natural and cultural values.
The plan’s focus on sustainable economic development is essential for the long-term health and vitality of the high-country region. The plan’s strategies will help to ensure that the region remains a special place for generations to come.
4. Climate change
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today, and the high-country region of New Zealand is particularly vulnerable to its effects. The region is home to a number of unique and fragile ecosystems, which are threatened by rising temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events.
Traverse High Country 2025 includes a number of measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the region, such as protecting and restoring native forests. Native forests play a vital role in regulating the climate, providing habitat for native species, and protecting water quality. By protecting and restoring native forests, Traverse High Country 2025 will help to ensure that the region remains resilient to the impacts of climate change.
One of the most important ways that native forests mitigate the impacts of climate change is by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, and they store it in their trunks, branches, and leaves. When trees are cut down or burned, the carbon dioxide that they have stored is released back into the atmosphere. By protecting and restoring native forests, Traverse High Country 2025 will help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which will help to slow the pace of climate change.
In addition to sequestering carbon dioxide, native forests also help to regulate the temperature and humidity of the air. Trees provide shade, which helps to keep the air cool in the summer. They also release water vapor into the air, which helps to increase humidity. This can help to reduce the risk of wildfires and droughts, which are both becoming more common due to climate change.Native forests also provide habitat for a wide range of native species. These species are adapted to the unique conditions of the high-country region, and they play an important role in the ecosystem. For example, native birds help to control insect populations, and native plants provide food and shelter for a variety of animals. By protecting and restoring native forests, Traverse High Country 2025 will help to ensure that these species continue to thrive.Protecting and restoring native forests is an essential part of mitigating the impacts of climate change on the high-country region. By implementing the measures outlined in Traverse High Country 2025, we can help to ensure that the region remains a vibrant and resilient ecosystem for generations to come.
5. Partnership
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan was developed in partnership with iwi (Mori tribes) and other stakeholders, recognizing the importance of ongoing collaboration in managing the region. This partnership approach is essential to the success of the plan, as it ensures that the diverse perspectives and interests of all stakeholders are considered and respected.
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Shared stewardship
The partnership approach fosters a sense of shared stewardship for the high-country region. Iwi have a deep connection to the land and a wealth of knowledge about its history and ecology. By working in partnership with iwi, DOC and other stakeholders can ensure that the plan is informed by this traditional knowledge and that the region’s cultural values are respected. -
Adaptive management
The partnership approach also supports adaptive management, which is an ongoing process of learning and adjusting the plan based on new information and experience. By working together, stakeholders can monitor the effectiveness of the plan and make changes as needed to ensure that it remains effective in the face of changing circumstances. -
Community engagement
The partnership approach emphasizes the importance of community engagement. Stakeholders are involved in all aspects of the plan’s development and implementation, ensuring that the community has a say in how the region is managed. This helps to build trust and support for the plan and ensures that it is responsive to the needs of the community. -
Conflict resolution
The partnership approach provides a framework for resolving conflicts that may arise between stakeholders. By working together, stakeholders can identify common ground and develop solutions that are acceptable to all parties. This helps to avoid disputes and ensures that the plan is implemented in a cooperative and collaborative manner.
The partnership approach is a key strength of the Traverse High Country 2025 plan. By working together, stakeholders can ensure that the plan is effective, adaptive, and responsive to the needs of the community. This will help to protect and enhance the high-country region for generations to come.
6. Sustainability
Sustainability is a key principle of the Traverse High Country 2025 plan. The plan recognizes that the high-country region is a unique and fragile ecosystem, and it seeks to protect the region’s natural and cultural values for future generations. This means considering the long-term impacts of all activities in the region, and making decisions that will protect the environment and the cultural heritage of the region.
One of the most important aspects of sustainability in the Traverse High Country 2025 plan is the focus on protecting native ecosystems. The plan includes a number of measures to protect and restore native forests, wetlands, and other natural habitats. These ecosystems provide a home for a wide range of native plants and animals, and they also play a vital role in regulating the climate and water quality.
The plan also recognizes the importance of protecting the cultural values of the high-country region. The region is home to a number of significant Mori cultural sites, and the plan includes a number of measures to protect and preserve these sites. The plan also recognizes the importance of traditional Mori knowledge and practices in managing the region.
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan is a comprehensive and ambitious plan that seeks to protect and enhance the high-country region for future generations. The plan’s focus on sustainability is essential to achieving this goal. By protecting the region’s natural and cultural values, the plan will help to ensure that the high-country region remains a vibrant and resilient ecosystem for generations to come.
7. Adaptive management
Adaptive management is a key component of the Traverse High Country 2025 plan. The plan recognizes that the high-country region is a complex and dynamic ecosystem, and that it is constantly changing. As a result, the plan is designed to be adaptive, meaning that it will be reviewed and updated as needed to ensure that it remains effective in the face of changing circumstances.
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Monitoring and evaluation
The plan includes a number of measures to monitor and evaluate its effectiveness. This monitoring and evaluation will help to ensure that the plan is achieving its goals and that it is being implemented in a way that is consistent with the principles of adaptive management. -
Stakeholder involvement
The plan also includes a number of mechanisms for stakeholder involvement. This involvement will help to ensure that the plan is responsive to the needs of the community and that it is supported by a broad range of stakeholders. -
Flexibility
The plan is designed to be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances. This flexibility will help to ensure that the plan remains effective even in the face of unexpected events or changes in the environment. -
Long-term vision
The plan is based on a long-term vision for the high-country region. This vision will help to guide the implementation of the plan and ensure that it is consistent with the long-term goals for the region.
Adaptive management is an essential component of the Traverse High Country 2025 plan. It will help to ensure that the plan is effective in achieving its goals and that it is responsive to the needs of the community and the changing circumstances of the high-country region.
Frequently Asked Questions about Traverse High Country 2025
This section provides answers to some frequently asked questions about the Traverse High Country 2025 plan.
Question 1: What is the Traverse High Country 2025 plan?
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan is a comprehensive land management plan that aims to protect and enhance the high-country region of New Zealand’s South Island. The plan was developed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) in partnership with iwi (Mori tribes) and other stakeholders. It covers an area of over 1 million hectares and includes some of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes, such as Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Southern Alps.
Question 2: What are the goals of the Traverse High Country 2025 plan?
The goals of the Traverse High Country 2025 plan are to protect the region’s natural and cultural values, improve public access and recreation opportunities, support sustainable economic development, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Question 3: How was the Traverse High Country 2025 plan developed?
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan was developed in partnership with iwi and other stakeholders. This partnership approach ensures that the diverse perspectives and interests of all stakeholders are considered and respected.
Question 4: How will the Traverse High Country 2025 plan be implemented?
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan will be implemented through a variety of means, including legislation, regulation, and partnerships with iwi and other stakeholders.
Question 5: How will the Traverse High Country 2025 plan be monitored and evaluated?
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan will be monitored and evaluated on a regular basis to ensure that it is achieving its goals and that it is being implemented in a way that is consistent with the principles of adaptive management.
Question 6: What are the benefits of the Traverse High Country 2025 plan?
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan will provide a number of benefits, including protecting the region’s natural and cultural values, improving public access and recreation opportunities, supporting sustainable economic development, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan is a comprehensive and ambitious plan that will help to protect and enhance the high-country region for future generations.
For more information, please visit the Department of Conservation website.
Tips for Implementing the Traverse High Country 2025 Plan
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan is a comprehensive and ambitious plan that will help to protect and enhance the high-country region of New Zealand’s South Island. The plan’s success will depend on the effective implementation of its various strategies and initiatives.
Here are five tips for implementing the Traverse High Country 2025 plan:
Tip 1: Engage with stakeholders
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan was developed in partnership with iwi and other stakeholders. It is important to continue to engage with these stakeholders throughout the implementation process. This will help to ensure that the plan is implemented in a way that is consistent with the needs and interests of all stakeholders.
Tip 2: Use adaptive management
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan is an adaptive management plan. This means that it will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure that it is achieving its goals and that it is being implemented in a way that is consistent with the principles of adaptive management.
Tip 3: Monitor and evaluate progress
It is important to monitor and evaluate the progress of the Traverse High Country 2025 plan on a regular basis. This will help to identify any challenges or obstacles to implementation and to make necessary adjustments.
Tip 4: Communicate with the public
It is important to communicate with the public about the Traverse High Country 2025 plan and its implementation. This will help to build support for the plan and to ensure that the public is aware of the benefits that it will provide.
Tip 5: Secure funding
The implementation of the Traverse High Country 2025 plan will require significant funding. It is important to secure this funding from a variety of sources, including government, iwi, and the private sector.
By following these tips, stakeholders can help to ensure the successful implementation of the Traverse High Country 2025 plan.
The successful implementation of the Traverse High Country 2025 plan will provide a number of benefits, including protecting the region’s natural and cultural values, improving public access and recreation opportunities, supporting sustainable economic development, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Conclusion
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan is a comprehensive and ambitious plan that will help to protect and enhance the high-country region of New Zealand’s South Island. The plan’s success will depend on the effective implementation of its various strategies and initiatives.
The Traverse High Country 2025 plan is a significant step forward in the management of the high-country region. The plan’s focus on protection, access, development, climate change, partnership, sustainability, and adaptive management will help to ensure that the region remains a vibrant and resilient ecosystem for generations to come.
Everyone has a role to play in implementing the Traverse High Country 2025 plan. Stakeholders can engage with the plan by participating in public consultation processes, providing feedback to the Department of Conservation, and supporting organizations that are working to protect the high-country region.
By working together, we can ensure that the Traverse High Country 2025 plan is a success and that the high-country region remains a special place for generations to come.
