Articles
Scenery preservation 1903-1953
Premier Richard Seddon outlined his 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.
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Page 2 – Scientific origins
European settlers in New Zealand struggled to rework the indigenous landscape.
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Page 3 – Beautiful New Zealand
Even before systematic colonisation began in 1840, New Zealand had been promoted in British publications as a wild, scenic, romantic wonderland – and a place of extremes
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Page 4 – Pressure groups
Between the 1880s and the 1920s local scenery preservation societies and other pressure and interest groups became active.
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Page 5 – The Scenery Preservation Act
Politician Harry Ell was the strongest advocate of scenery preservation in the early 20th century. He raised the issue of legislative protection for the environment in
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Page 7 – Maori and scenic reserves
Initially Māori had mixed feelings about the Scenery Preservation Act. The Member of Parliament for Northern Maori, Hōne Heke Ngāpua, welcomed it as a way to protect tōtara and
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Page 8 – New administration
Officially, the Scenery Preservation Commission was disbanded because the government had found that some 'simpler machinery was necessary to more effectively carry out the
Parliament's culture and traditions
Explore Parliament's rich history and its colourful culture and traditions.
- Page 7 - A public meeting placeNew Zealand is one of the few places in the world where the public can walk around the grounds of
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Main image: Tobacco fields, by Doris Lusk
Tobacco fields, Pangatotara, Nelson by Doris Lusk
