Environment
A story of the unintended implications of a successful nature based tourism industry on the very environment it relies upon. As well as of a district at the front line of farm to forestry land conversion for carbon sinks that’s also passionate about the wellbeing of its awa.
Introduction
issues in the District include tourism impact, water quality, dog fouling, rubbish dumping and burning, and forestry conversion. National Park residents, Kakahi and Ōwhango residents, and Ōhura residents have specific concerns. Forestry conversion affects unemployment, landscape, community, environment, and roads.
Key themes
- Job opportunities mostly in primary and service sectors, except Ohura
- Waiouru depends on NZDF and small businesses
- Tourism seasonal and diverse, less valued than in 2020
- Ski field issues concern some people
- Tourism impact, water quality, dog fouling, rubbish dumping and burning, and forestry conversion are environmental issues
- National Park, Kakahi, Ōwhango, and Ōhura residents have specific concerns
- Forestry conversion affects unemployment, landscape, community, environment, and roads