A recreation reserve is a type of New Zealand protected area owned by the New Zealand Government[citation needed] and reserved mainly for sporting or recreational activities.[1] Many provide public access to coastlines, lakes and rivers.[2] Some are administered by the Department of Conservation.[1]

Bastion Point Recreation Reserve at Auckland's Bastion Point

Each recreation reserve has been established "for the purpose of providing areas for the recreation and sporting activities and the physical welfare and enjoyment of the public, and for the protection of the natural environment and beauty of the countryside, with emphasis on the retention of open spaces and on outdoor recreational activities, including recreational tracks in the countryside".[3]

There were 2,842 recreation reserves in New Zealand in 2015, covering total of 255,750 hectares.[2] Land Information New Zealand listed 599 recreation reserves on its website in 2022.[4]

Most recreation reserves are smaller than 1000 hectares, but some are much larger. Te Paki in Northland, for example, covers nearly 19,000 hectares of coastal landscape. Pūponga Farm Park, at the western end of Farewell Spit, is also larger than most. Other well-known recreation reserves include Pelorus Bridge and the reserves of the Marlborough Sounds, and Five Mile, Whakaipo, and other reserves around Lake Taupō.[2]

North Island edit

Northland Region edit

Auckland Region edit

Bay of Plenty Region edit

Gisborne Region edit

Hawke's Bay Region edit

Manawatū-Whanganui Region edit

South Island edit

Nelson District edit

Marlborough District edit

Canterbury Region edit

Otago Region edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Reserves Act 1977". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
  2. ^ a b c Molloy, Les. "Scenic, historic, recreation and other reserves". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
  3. ^ "Reserves Act 1977". legislation.govt.nz. New Zealand Government.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "New Zealand Gazetteer". linz.govt.nz. Land Information New Zealand.