Our Islands Our Selves
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A History of Conservation in New Zealand identifies the issues, personalities and organisations surrounding conservation over the past 200 years. It includes significant discussion on the cultural influences
of Maori and European views of nature. In this first-ever history of conservation in New Zealand, David Young explores the evolution of a conservation ethic.

While the basis for conservation is the recognition of New Zealand's unique flora and fauna, Young contends that conservation in New Zealand is not just a need to protect this indigenous biodiversity. Conservation is also linked to a sense of identity and community.

Modern New Zealand has evolved from a 'quarry economy' to a modern society grappling with erosion and flooding issues, predator proliferation, and habitat and species loss. As the concerns of the nation have shifted, the approaches to conservation have also changed: from acclimatisation of exotic species to national parks, the development of island sanctuaries and, now, an ecological approach that protects relationships as well as specific flora and fauna.

Young's work illustrates how far our perceptions and actions have come, how often the country got it wrong, and what might still need to done to protect New Zealand's natural environment.                                   

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Published by Otago University Press, 2004 in association with the Department of Conservation and Ministry for Culture and Heritage.       http://www.otago.ac.nz                   ISBN 1877276 94 4  I  ISBN-13978-187727694   ​

OTHER BOOKS

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​Matahina  a hydro dam in a dynamic landscape                                   
Steele Roberts, 1998





Land and People 
Introductory essay for Craig Potton’s photographic annual, Craig Potton Publishers, 1999

Frontier of Dreams
First two chapters, ‘The Last Place on Earth: Prehistory c.1300’ & ‘Treasure Islands -Maori history, c.1300-1642’, Hodder-Moa, 2005

Keeper of the Long View  A history of the PCE, 2007

Values as Law: The History and Efficacy of the Resource Management Act

New Zealand's innovative Resource Management Act was a world first attempt to achieve integrated resource management through a single piece of legislation, based on the principle of sustainabiliy. Ten years on, this book asks some of the Act's authors how it came into being and discusses the question ofhow well it is delivering on its promises. As well as outlining the creation ofthe RMA, the book looks at its implementation, reactions to it and future consequences of it.

Published by Institute for Governance and Policy Studies [ips.ac.nz] 2001
ISBN: 0-908935-56-0
   
 

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