wickedwanderlustadventure

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Too Much Tourism in New Zealand?

Tourism itself has its strengths and weaknesses when it comes to a known location. There were a few places in New Zealand that seemed to have too much tourism and some that handled tourism a little better. Wellington, New Zealand, which is the capital of New Zealand, seemed like tourism there was a bit much. With a population of about four hundred thousand, it seemed hard to truly get alone time with an amazing view in such a large city. Especially when visiting Te Papa national museum, it seemed like there were many people around which made it harder to view some of the exhibits.

In Franz Joseph, However, tourism seemed to be a must activity that needs to occur is this small town. With a population of four hundred and forty-four, this area of famous glaciers relies heavily on tourism. Most of the city’s income comes from tourism aspects of guided tours to the glacier as well as helicopter rides to the top.

However, when I think about too much tourism, I think about taking something being naturally beautiful and monopolizing its value to gain solely money. This was a location that I did not stop at, but did drive by and see the tourism overload at this one location. The location called Pete’s Point in Wanaka, is a heavily toured attraction, that involves hiking to the top of this point and waiting in line to take a photo with the view behind you. It’s a misleading fallacy to even publish a photo that makes you look so secluded and alone, why not actually go be alone? The photo makes it seem like you’re hiking alone in the wilderness. Yet, they actually experienced waiting in line with other humans, like it was a line for a roller coaster.

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Franz Joseph Glacier

Changes in global or regional climate patterns are happening! There is scientific proof that there’s increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide due to the use of fossil fuels. Are human beings the most important entity in the universe? Today, to live anthropocentric is known to be greatly ingrained in most modern human cultures, as well as their own conscious acts. From an environmentalist stand point, it is a major concept that is often blamed or considered the main cause of problems by human action within all of the different biomes. One example to consider is a situation I encountered at the Franz Joseph Glacier in New Zealand. Since the late 1880’s or so, Franz Joseph Glacier has retreated around 3 kilometers. Although the glacier has had a number of advancements and retreats, since 2008 the glacier has been in a long period of retreat and has lost around 800 meters of its length. The advance and retreat are apart of a natural cycle; however, this lasting retreat has been more noticeable the past three years. Warming effects from Global Climate Destabilization can defiantly be noticed at the Franz Joseph Glacier.  Seeing it firsthand, how far the glacier has retreated makes me consider that anthropocentric ideas have some sort of correlation.

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Mahu Whenua, Wanaka, New Zealand

The Mahu Whenua is New Zealand’s largest area of private land under a Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Covenant (approximately 205 square miles). It encompasses iconic high-country landscapes adjacent to rapidly expanding urban populations. Provides an opportunity to explore and manipulate the processes of ecological restoration in this low alpine zone ecosystem. It was an incredible experience to stay in this area for five days, studying the transfer of the invasive algae Didymo and the collection of seeds native trees.

The Didymo was a real eye opener to how quickly ecosystems can change. About 3 years, Didymo was tested throughout a layout of streams in about a twenty-mile stretch. Four areas downstream near the agricultural land where sheep still resided had the Didymo algae in them, but six more samples upstream were tested and did not include Didymo in them. However, this year the four areas downstream as well two of the waterways upstream contained the Didymo algae. That means in the three years of no testing, the algae had spread a few miles. That was a shocking experience to see firsthand in the recording of this data.

The native seed collecting included seven different native Beech trees in the lower forested areas. The project was based on setting large nets to collect all seed droppings from the beech trees. This was more interesting to me to see that some restoration efforts are the same around the world in efforts to collect seeds of native plants to replant for a larger more abundant population. I also believe in the outcome of the beech tree redevelopment since they will receive thousands of seeds from the beech trees during the autumn season.

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Best/Worst Experience

While visiting New Zealand for the first time, every new site, every new waterway, every new city was very exciting to experience. However, not until visiting Dunedin, did I find myself bonding with a place. Dunedin isn’t a massive place, but it was a very welcoming one. There was a larger population of college students and a larger group to communicate with. I also enjoyed Dunedin because of the mixed-use development that interconnects housing and services that make most things walk-able and available for pedestrians, as well as vehicles. This city was my most favorable, and I could potentially see myself living in this area if I were to seek education at the Otago University located in that city.

An experience I endured unfavorably involved the issues with maintaining encounters with sand flies. The sand flies were more abundant near waterways and wetlands, but they came out everywhere at night. Their bites were itchier then any mosquito bites I ever had. The flies were so small, but they left large sores that got bigger as they were scratched. Hot water from a regular shower also intensified the itchy sensation on my legs and ankles as well.

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Killing Predator Species

In a preserve serviced for native animals to flourish, protection of the animals from known predators of the species is also an important key for the amount of native species to grow. Stoats and possums are not native to New Zealand, and are considered a pest to native species such as birds. It has been shown that the evolution of birds in New Zealand have majority of their nests planted on the ground surface in a wooded area or in the open grassland. The introduction to predator species distributed throughout both the north and the South Island has really had an impact on certain populations. Different moralities come into discussion when debating what is actually the right thing to do in this situation. Killing off a large number of animals is morally wrong, but considering them as a nuisance species or pest could drastically change the viewpoint of the situation.

Possibilities are endless in “ideas” of what they should and shouldn’t do differently. There are already preservation and eco-sanctuaries put into effect on conservation of these rare native species of New Zealand. By having a concentrating and collection of the species ensures that with human capability the species being preserved will not go fully extinct. On the other hand, are humans the only capable force of keeping these animals from becoming extinct? By providing such protection over flightless birds and other native species, are we preventing natural forces of balance? No true natural balance will occur in New Zealand if the moral right is to reverse what is already done and try to preserve the organisms, we found to be the true to the land or even just aesthetically pleasing to us. It is difficult to determine what is morally right or wrong when determining what is right to preserve.

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Christchurch cathedral

As walking around Christchurch, New Zealand, symbolization is represented all over the city. Art, signs, and memorials could be found all over the city. Tributes to those 180 people who had lost their life in the 2011 earthquake. Ages differed from three weeks old, all the way to eighty years old. However, there is one church that collapsed in the disaster and took a larger group of those people.

Decisions on what to do with the area of that church are still in debate. Either the church is to be rebuilt as it was to the original structure, a newer church be created, or the area be cleared and based as a memorial for those whom died in that church specifically. If decisions had to be made immediately, I would rebuild a church in the same location. The location of the church should remain; however, the structural integrity of the building should be considered a little more. By not tearing the building down and constructing off what was remaining section standing is a dangerous situation especially with the possibilities of another earthquake. As a precaution to a second collapse of the church, I strongly believe that the building shall be reconstructed in a new way. A unique place of worship not only for the church, but naming the church after those who have died while trying to belong in such a spiritual place.  

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Takahanga Marae

When entering the Takahanga Marae, intimidation was the feeling in my stomach. A whole culture and family of the Marae accepted us interested Americans into their home and trusted us to respect their grounds as we stayed there. It was breathtaking that the Marae’s property was at a high point that looked over the whole town of Kaikoura as well as the beautiful resourceful ocean. It stuck out to me that even five hundred years ago when first settling, they chose such a resourceful position to be in. The access to waters for fresh food as well as capability to travel using the waters. Also, when first settling they found themselves dealing with a plant that was so resourceful for clothes, weaving, and so much more that even today the plant is cherished and used in so many different ways. They practiced giving back to the land and by using resources that can then be rested back to nature.

During the first night when dinner was made for us, I felt as if I was a part of their family. Maybe a cousin aspect, but heavily as if I had been there many times before. When the prayer was given, I felt thankful and spiritual with what was going on. However, on a personal level to my impression at the Takahanga Marae included more of family connections, rather than a religion worshiping a god. The mauri praise and give thanks to their whakapapa which is their ancestral tree dating back hundreds of years ago. The family tree is what connects them to the tribe and together with other mauri cultures. That aspect was the heaviest influence on me while staying at the Marae.

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Conservation and sustainability had always been a firsthand thought in my environmental awareness most of my life. Efforts such as recycling, care for plants and animals, and cleanliness to the wilderness and world have always lingered with me in life. However, once I started at Bowling Green State University the way I perceived these things changed. Morality in how these environmental attributes actually are thought about between individuals does not reflect mine.

Environmental sciences, studies, and philosophical thoughts about the world are key subjects to understanding why this trip is happening. Culture is a heavy influence when you observe and explore a new area.  During this trip I expect to see pristine sites, conservation mindsets, and philosophical morality about the world this culture is surrounded by. I anticipate issues such as invasive species, waste disposal, and sprawl will be addressed while traveling throughout New Zealand. Surrounding yourself in such a sustainable positive area can influence that moral thinking you may have on a particular environmental, cultural, or philosophical issue. I would like myself as well as others to encourage yourself to be open minded during these travels and learn new ways to be conservation minded.