National Parks Act 1980

National parks - Principles to be applied in national parks

4: Parks to be maintained in natural state, and public to have right of entry

You could also call this:

"National parks are protected natural areas that everyone can visit and enjoy"

You might be wondering what national parks in New Zealand are all about. Well, they're special areas of the country that are protected forever. These parks are made up of places that are really beautiful, have unique plants and animals, or are important for science. The government wants to keep these areas safe so that everyone can enjoy them.

When looking after national parks, there are some important things to remember. First, the parks should be kept as natural as possible. This means trying not to change how they look or work. The people in charge also try to keep all the native plants and animals that belong there, while getting rid of plants and animals that don't naturally live there.

If there are old things in the park that tell us about history, like ancient Māori sites or old buildings, these are looked after too. The parks are also important for keeping the soil healthy, protecting water sources, and looking after forests.

You and your family are allowed to visit national parks. In fact, the government wants you to go there and enjoy yourself! You can explore, have fun, and learn about nature. But remember, there might be some rules to follow to help protect the plants, animals, and special places in the park.

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This page was last updated on 13 May 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM37796.

Topics:

Environment and resources > ConservationMāori affairs > Treaty of Waitangi

3: Act to bind the Crown, or

"This law applies to everyone, including the government"

5: Indigenous plants and animals to be preserved, or

"Protect native plants and animals in national parks"

Part 1National parks
Principles to be applied in national parks

4Parks to be maintained in natural state, and public to have right of entry

It is hereby declared that the provisions of this Act shall have effect for the purpose of preserving in perpetuity as national parks, for their intrinsic worth and for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of the public, areas of New Zealand that contain scenery of such distinctive quality, ecological systems, or natural features so beautiful, unique, or scientifically important that their preservation is in the national interest.
It is hereby further declared that, having regard to the general purposes specified in subsection (1), national parks shall be so administered and maintained under the provisions of this Act that—
they shall be preserved as far as possible in their natural state:
except where the Authority otherwise determines, the native plants and animals of the parks shall as far as possible be preserved and the introduced plants and animals shall as far as possible be exterminated:
sites and objects of archaeological and historical interest shall as far as possible be preserved:
their value as soil, water, and forest conservation areas shall be maintained:
subject to the provisions of this Act and to the imposition of such conditions and restrictions as may be necessary for the preservation of the native plants and animals or for the welfare in general of the parks, the public shall have freedom of entry and access to the parks, so that they may receive in full measure the inspiration, enjoyment, recreation, and other benefits that may be derived from mountains, forests, sounds, seacoasts, lakes, rivers, and other natural features.