Minister confirms conservation park

DCC aquatic services manager Steve Prescott has given the Mosgiel Taieri Community Board valuable advice on obtaining an all-year-round facility. Photo by Peter Mcintosh

The Hawea Conservation Park, New Zealand's ninth and largest high country park, was confirmed by the Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick yesterday, during Conservation Week celebrations.

The 105,000ha conservation park was another step further towards developing a network of high country parks offering recreational opportunities while preserving natural and historic heritage, Ms Chadwick said in a media release.

The land in the high country park network was formerly occupied by pastoral leaseholders and was now open for all to enjoy, she said.

"This week is Conservation Week and we are reminding New Zealanders about this very special place we call home. We believe in enhancing opportunities for everyone to experience our spectacular natural heritage and this park gives the public more options to do just that," Ms Chadwick said.

The park proposal attracted opposition from the pastoral lessees at Hunter Valley Station, Taff and Penny Cochrane, and aviators. Their issues centred on some - but not all - access points and are still being worked through by the various parties.

Department of Conservation Wanaka area manager Paul Hellebrekers said yesterday the status quo remained regarding access on part of Meads Rd through the Hunter Valley or by aircraft into the upper Dingleburn.

Until the Meads Rd issues were resolved, Doc wanted recreationalists to observe the usual courtesies and seek access permission from the Hunter Valley leaseholders.

A meeting with the Wanaka Airport Users Group next Friday will discuss options for aircraft landing in the upper Dingleburn and suggestions raised in the public submissions.

The new park can be accessed up the eastern side of Lake Hawea, past Timaru Creek. Foot and mountain bike access then leads into the Dingleburn and the Hunter areas.

Tramping access can also be obtained from several points on State Highway 6 and through the Ahuriri Conservation Park via the saddle with the Ahuriri at the head of the Dingleburn.

Foot and mountain bike access to the park can be obtained from the lower Ahuriri via the Avon Burn.

The park is home to many threatened birds, the threatened jewelled gecko, and a variety of special plant species.