Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand

• Hydro-electric scheme (issue resolved)
• Exportation of fresh water project

1. PROPERTY: TE WAHIPOUNAMU (South-west New Zealand)
2. DATE INSCRIBED AND CRITERIA: 1986. Extension 1990. ii, iii, iv.
3. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE WORLD HERITAGE FUND: None
4. CONDITION OF PROPERTY:

There are three issues relating to this site which merit action by the Bureau:

1. On 27 June, the New Zealand Minister of Justice was reported as saying that "small parcels of conservation of land may be returned to Ngai Tahu and other iwi (Maori tribes) to protect wahi tapu or sacred sites". While the Ngai Tahu iwi was associated in support of the New Zealand nomination, it has also pursued claims to land to the Waitangi Tribunal. This was set up by the New Zealand Government to consider Maori land grievances under the Treaty of Waitangi (1840) by which certain Maori leaders recognised British sovereignty and received various guarantees in relation to their interests. It is understood that the Ngai Tahu claims may include some land in the World Heritage site.While it will be noted that Ngai Tahu supported the nomination and while the statement by the Minister refers to only small parcels of land sacred to Ngai Tahu, IUCN considers it would be helpful for the Bureau to invite the New Zealand Government to report on the any implication of the Ngai Tahu Treaty claims for the World Heritage site and to seek an assurance that the integrity of the site will not be jeopardised by any settlement of claims which might affect land within the World Heritage site.
2. It has come to IUCN's attention that continued cattle grazing is prejudicing natural values in parts of Mount Aspiring National Park including the Siberia area, the Wilkin Valley, Cattle Flat and Dredge Flat within the World Heritage site. New Zealand National Parks Policy is that cattle grazing in parks should be phased out and concern has been expressed that grazing continues and is causing damage to natural vegetation and preventing regeneration of forest edges. It is understood that the Department of Conservation as the management agency is aiming to implement the National Parks Policy. IUCN believes it would be helpful to strengthen the Department's resolve to do this as soon as possible if the Bureau drew to the State Party' attention concern at continued cattle grazing and invited them to report on proposals to end the grazing in the interests of maintaining the integrity of the site.
3. When Fiordland National Park was listed as a World Heritage site in 1986, IUCN's evaluation suggested that consideration be given to the inclusion in the site of the Waitutu forest along the park's southern boundary. When Fiordland National Park was incorporated into the larger Te Wahipounamu site in 1990, part of the Waitutu forest in Government ownership was included. However, the coastal section of Waitutu forest which is in Maori ownership remained outside the site. It is a cause of concern among conservation interests in New Zealand that the owners of the coastal forest recently entered into a contract for logging to take place. This was seen as threatening the significant natural values on the Maori land and prejudicing the integrity of the adjoining Waitutu forest land within the World Heritage site.