A history of fire in the forest and rural landscape in New Zealand - Part 2, post 1830 influences, and implications for future fire management

Authors: Dennys Guild, Murray Dudfield
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2009, Issue N.Z.J.For. 54(4) 2010, pp 31-38, Jan 2010
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: This is Part 2 of a two part history of fire in the forest and rural landscape in New Zealand. The first part covered pre-Maori and Pre-European influences. It is after that background that we now explore the post 1830 influences of fire on our forest and rural landscapes, and look at the implications for future fire management in New Zealand. Post 1830 1. Fire as a means of quick forest clearance. With an estimated European population of only 150 people in 1832, early settlement was initially slow, and was concentrated in just a few parts of New Zealand. Northland was one of the earliest areas favoured by Europeans for settlement, probably as a result of the early contact there by missionaries from Australia, which began in 1814. But settlers in other areas such as Bluff in Southland arrived to establish a supply base for whaling ships as early as 1824 (Hall-Jones, 1979), and early European settlements also sprung up at Riverton, Waikouaiti, Akaroa, Nelson, Wellington, Wanganui and Auckland.

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