The Reserves Act 1977 is an Act of Parliament passed in New Zealand. It is administered by the Department of Conservation
| Reserves Act 1977 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| New Zealand Parliament | |
| |
| Royal assent | 23 December 1977 |
| Commenced | 1 April 1978 |
| Legislative history | |
| Passed | 1977 |
| Status: Current legislation | |
It contains provisions for the acquisition, control, management, maintenance, development and use of public reserves.[1]
Types of reserves
editThe law defines particular types of reserves, which are all managed by the department:[2]
- National reserves are areas that have been designated as having national importance due to their historical or ecological value.[2]
- Recreation reserves have been established for recreation and sporting activities, to promote physical welfare and enjoyment and protect the natural environment and beauty.[2]
- Historic reserves have been established to protect and preserve places, objects and natural features that are of historic, archaeological, cultural, educational and other special interest.[2]
- Scenic reserves are reserves protected because of their scenic interest, beauty or natural features.[2] These are the most common type of protected area in New Zealand. Most are small areas of remnant native forest close to roads.[3] Statutory control of scenic reserves was earlier provided by the Scenery Preservation Act 1903 before the Reserves Act 1977 was passed.
- Nature reserves are reserves established to protect indigenous flora or fauna, or rare or scientifically important natural features. Entry to these reserves is limited to those with specific permits.[2]
- Scientific reserves are reserves established to protect areas for scientific research and education. Entry to part of all of these reserves is limited to those with specific permits.[2]
- Government purpose reserves are reserves held for a particular government purposes, like wildlife management areas.[2]
- Local purpose reserves are local reserves held for particular purposes.[2] Local reserves can be created for, "utility, road, street, access way, esplanade, service lane, playcentre, kindergarten, plunket room, or other like purpose",[4] including to protect reservoir catchments.[5]
- Wilderness areas are reserves or parts of reserves maintained in a natural state, with a ban on buildings, roads, human infrastructure or introduced animals.[2]
- Other areas of private, Crown or Māori land may be leased back by the Crown under conservation covenants to preserve the natural environment.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Smith, Ian (1997). "Key conservation laws". The State of New Zealand's Environment 1997. Rowan Taylor (ed.). Wellington, N.Z: Ministry for the Environment. ISBN 0-478-09000-5.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Reserves Act 1977". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
- ^ Molloy, Les (1 September 2015). "Protected areas – Scenic, historic, recreation and other reserves". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
- ^ Reserves Act 1977 s.16
- ^ "Board of Inquiry into the Turitea Wind Farm Proposal" (PDF). September 2011.