Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The only native palm in NZ is the nikau, with its spiky, geometric fronds and bulbous
seed pods. A profusion of these attractive plants can be seen on the Heaphy Track in Kahur-
angi National Park.
NZ's alpine zones support a wide range of plant species, of which a high proportion is en-
demic. The bushline, usually marked by the upper limit of beech trees, varies from 1500m
on Mt Ruapehu down to about 900m in Fiordland. Above the bush, alpine scrub merges into
snow tussock, which in turn merges, in wetter areas, into alpine herb fields. In drier regions
tussock grassland is often found almost unmixed with other plant types. Higher still, plant
cover becomes sparse and a number of specialised communities are found, including fell-
field, scree, cushion vegetation and, near high ridges and summits, snow-bank vegetation.
For a comprehensive history of NZ conservation and insight into 'where to from here', you
can't go past the landmark tome
New Zealand's Wilderness Heritage
, written and photo-
graphed by three pre-eminent fellows of the realm: Les Molloy, Craig Potton and Rod Mor-
ris.
