'For environment read conservation': New Zealand as an example of green purity. (4th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wells, Philippa
• Is Part Of: Interdisciplinary environmental review. Volume 7:Number 2(2005)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 59
• Publication Date: 2014-08-04
• Subjects: New Zealand -- environmental consciousness -- environmental responsibility -- nature conservation -- environmental preservation -- environmental protection -- fresh water -- resource management -- water management -- environmental management; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Sustainability -- Periodicals; 333.705
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1521-0227

Abstract

The international official and commercial face often presented by New Zealand is one of environmental consciousness. Legal and administrative structures reinforce a message of environmental responsibility. However, evidence does not paint such a rosy picture, suggesting that a structural emphasis on conservation/preservation fails to address problems of wider environmental importance. With fresh water as context, and a case study as example, this paper locates conservation/preservation in the New Zealand environmental landscape. In addition, it offers a brief critique of alternatives to the management of this most vital of resources and notes some wider environmental implications.