The Drama of Conservation ― The History of Pureora Forest, New Zealand

This book offers a sweeping examination of Pureora Forest Park, one of the most significant sites of natural and cultural history interest in New Zealand. The book opens by recounting the geological history of the volcanic zone, and offering an account of its flora and fauna. The authors review the history of Maori and European presence, and the arcs of early mining and industries. Chapter-length discussions cover 20th Century attempts at governance of native forests in the Central North Island and the beginning of the Pureora Project and the forest village, describing efforts to manage the land and conflicts that ensued. Separate chapters cover initiatives to protect the forest from introduced herbivores and to guard protected species, especially birds, from predators. A chapter on recreation describes the establishment of recreational hunting, the development of an outdoor education center, an observation tower, campsites, family recreation areas and tracks for off-road vehicles and mountain bikes. The final chapter gathers conclusions and advances prospects for the future of Pureora Forest. In sum, the book demonstrates how ecological study, combined with a respect for people and for natural history, plus a flexible, interdisciplinary approach to current scientific priorities, can be welded into a consistently effective strategy for addressing the pressing forest-ecology questions of our time.