Checking In with Professor James Higham

What does nature mean to you? It’s a very simple question. But nature means many different things to many different people. In Aotearoa New Zealand the case of Te Urewera requires us to think about relational values and questions of environmental justice. It also challenges us to think carefully about national parks as a form of colonialism. 

How times have changed. In the 1990s New Zealand’s premier nature experiences included pulling over at roadside scenic lookouts or, for the more adventurous, tramping on the Great Walks. Now, welcome to the world of Te Araroa and not backpacking, but bikepacking. 

The climate is changing and the tourism industry must be prepared. But who pays for the impacts of climate change? Last week the Australia Institute published a report that outlines its response to this question – arguing the need for a National Climate Disaster Fund.

A proposal to open cast mine for gold in Central Otago is hoping to proceed under the current governments contentious fast track legislation. Surely it is stating the obvious that in terms of open cast mining and sustainable tourism, this is a case of one or the other, but not both. 

New Zealand’s coalition government has recently announced its intention to allow invasive introduced hunting species to be maintained in our National Parks. But behind this plan is an extensive suite of other proposed law changes that have received less attention. These changes do risk our National Parks - so valued for conservation - being reduced to tourist Game Parks. 

New Zealand tourism is at a crossroads. But fortunately New Zealand tourism has been and continues to be served by a small number of thought leaders who care deeply about tourism and offer outstanding leadership for the sector. One of those people is Glenys Coughlan. 

Last week the New Zealand government unveiled its Tourism Growth Roadmap which aims to supercharge tourism arrivals to New Zealand. So what investments in infrastructure and protections for environments and communities are in place to sustainably manage supercharged growth?