Nature / Sustainable Tourism
With geography spanning white to black sand beaches, mountains, thermal mud pools and geysers, plains, forests, rivers and lakes, and volcanic plateaux, New Zealand's scenery leaves nothing to the imagination. More than 30% of the land has been set aside in national parks, reserves and special heritage sites to preserve the country’s ecological heritage. New Zealand has 13 national parks featuring relatively untouched landscape, that are home to ancient forests and landforms, rare birds, and creatures that have survived since prehistoric times. There are plenty of opportunities to explore New Zealand's unique environment, on land and at sea, with a growing eco-tourism industry aiming for ecologically friendly tourism models. New Zealanders are ecologically aware, and both Maori and Pakeha treasure the natural environment.
The Poor Knights Marine Reserve surrounds the Poor Knights Islands, which are offshore from Tutukaka in Northland. The reserve was one of the late Jacques Cousteau's favourite dive sites. It has beautiful natural arches, both above and below water, and is home to many subtropical fish species.
Photo credit: Destination Northland
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The canopies of many New Zealand native forests are dominated by tall ponga ferns and nikau palms – the world’s southernmost palm tree. The nikau grows throughout the North Island and parts of the South.
Photo credit: Peter Morath Photography
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