Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Christchurch isn't the only place to be awar-
ded such a plaudit, with the South Island's West
Coast named as one of the world's must-visit
regions in
Best in Travel 2014
. Increasing re-
cognition of its extensive conservation estate
and unique ecological values sits uncomfort-
ably alongside continual interest in exploiting
the area's natural resources. But mining has al-
ways been part of the Coast way of life, as is
the danger so often associated with it. In
November 2010 29 men lost their lives when a
series of explosions ripped through the Pike River coalmine near Greymouth in another
widely felt tragedy that further pushed the bounds of the country's emotional and economic
resilience.
TThe C
e Carrpatthiians(Janet Frame;
1988) The beloved NZ writer's last
novel; magical happenings in a rural
town.
Pottiikii(Patricia Grace; 1986) A Maori
community faces mortal danger in
this poignant novel by a revered
writer.
The Economic Environment
With estimates for the Christchurch rebuild having ballooned to more than $40 billion, it
could take decades for NZ to recover fully. The pressure is on to keep the economic wheel
turning, with dairy farming and tourism the main grist to the mill.
These two earners are proving somewhat at odds. NZ's '100% Pure' tourism campaign
employs images of beautiful landscapes in pristine condition. The country, however, has
been repeatedly rumbled in recent years as environmentalists - and the media - turn their
spotlight on the country's 'clean green' credentials. Controversial proposals for open cast
mines on conservation land, extensive offshore oil and gas exploration, evidence of dirty
dairy farming, river pollution levels, Department of Conservation (DOC) budget cuts, and
questionable urban planning - there have been endless hooks for a bad news story, and
plenty of reasons to protest.
One of the latest controversies is over the 1991
Resource Management Act,
which regu-
lates environmental management and development. Under fire from parliamentarians seen
to be in cahoots with big business, this landmark legislation is set to be softened, further
opening the door to development at the cost of the environment. Already disgruntled by re-
cent state asset sales and the passing of an Act that permits increased personal surveillance,
the NZ public is decidedly twitchy.
