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State of Conservation (SOC)

Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand (2004)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0
Total Amount Ap proved: 0USD

Missions**
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

On 12 February 2004 the World Heritage Centre received a report from the State Party concerning an oil-spill accident at Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand. The report indicated that approximately 13,000 liters of diesel fuel had spilled into the harbour at Freshwater Basin at the head of Milford Sound, which borders the Fiordland National Park that is part of the World Heritage property.

 

Environment Southland, the responsible agency for the management of its oil spill response plan, indicates that the marine reserve at Milford Sound appears not to have been adversely affected by the spill. With respect to the adverse impact on wildlife, immediate and follow up action have not revealed any issues of immediate concern and it is thought that there will not be long term threats. Furthermore, a thorough clean up operation has been completed with the support of the community.

 

The State Party informed the Centre that the Department of Conservation of the Government of New-Zealand and Environment Southland will carry out an investigation into the spill and management action will be taken to prevent the recurrence of such an accident.

 

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

28COM15B.17
Link to the decision
The World Heritage Committee, 1. Notes the information provided by the State Party concerning recent oil spill accident at Te Wahipounamu-South West New Zealand; 2. Requests the State Party to take all necessary measures to prevent such accidents occurring in the future.

Draft Decision: 28 COM 15B.17

 The World Heritage Committee,

1.   Notes the information provided by the State Party concerning a recent oil spill accident at Te Wahipounamu-South West New Zealand;

 2.   Requests the State Party to take all necessary measures to prevent such accidents occurring in the future.

 

Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand
State Party:
New Zealand
Date of Inscription: 1990
Nomination records (Year): 1989
Category: Natural
Criteria: (vii)(viii)(ix)(x)
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports (year)
2004
1992
1989
Threats*
  • Effects arising from use of transportation infrastructure
  • Other Threats:
    Oil spill in the harbour
Documents
WHC-04/28.COM/15B
Other Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
SOC ID: 1409

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.