Scenic reserves are a type of New Zealand protected area. They are the most common, and probably most widespread, form of protected area in the country.[1] The reserve vary size: while most are less than 100 hectares, some are more than 1,000 hectares. Some are "islands of unspoilt nature in a sea of farmland".[1]
Scenic reserves were first created when communities decided to keep some original vegetation in an area where most original vegetation had been removed. Most are patches of bush, often close to roads.[1] Statutory control of scenic reserves was covered by the Scenery Preservation Act 1903 until the passing of the Reserves Act 1977.[1]
Ball’s Clearing Scenic Reserve in Hawke’s Bay, an area of native forest fenced off from the surrounding pasture land, is typical scenic reserve.[2]
The following scenic reserves are located in and around the North Island:[3]
Auckland
- Burgess Island Scenic Reserve
- Harataonga Scenic Reserve
- Kawau Island Scenic Reserve
- Kohatutara Scenic Reserve
- Kotuku Point Scenic Reserve
- Leigh Scenic Reserve
- Mataitai Scenic Reserve
- Mātaitai Scenic Reserve
- Moturekareka Island Scenic Reserve
- Motutara Island Scenic Reserve
- Ngā Pona-toru-a-Peretū Scenic Reserve
- Papa Turoa Scenic Reserve
- Rabbit & Goat Island Scenic Reserve
- Rakitu Island Scenic Reserve
- Rangatawhiri Scenic Reserve
- Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve
- Raventhorpe Scenic Reserve
- Richardson Scenic Reserve
- Sharp Point Scenic Reserve
- Smeltinghouse Bay Scenic Reserve
- Tai Rawhiti Scenic Reserve
- Te Atamira Scenic Reserve
- Te Matuku Bay Scenic Reserve
- Te Morehu Scenic Reserve
- Ti Point Scenic Reserve
- Tryphena Scenic Reserve
- Waiheke Island Scenic Reserve
- Wairoa Gorge Scenic Reserve
- Whakatiri Scenic Reserve
The following scenic reserves are located in and around the South Island:[3]
Nelson
- Boulder Bank Scenic Reserve
- Cable Bay Scenic Reserve
- Whangamoa Scenic Reserve
Tasman
- Milnthorpe Park Scenic Reserve
West Coast
- Ahaura-Kopara Scenic Reserve
- Arnold River Scenic Reserve
- Arorangi Scenic Reserve
- Blackadder Scenic Reserve
- Coal Creek Scenic Reserve
- Costello Hill Scenic Reserve
- Dee Creek Scenic Reserve
- Denniston Road - Scenic Reserve
- Denniston Scenic Reserve
- Four Mile Scenic Reserve
- Hiwinui Scenic Reserve
- Inangahua Landing Scenic Reserve
- Kaiata Scenic Reserve
- Karamea Bluff Scenic Reserve
- Karamea River Scenic Reserve
- Langridge Scenic Reserve
- Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve
- Lower Buller Gorge Scenic Reserve
- Mai Mai Scenic Reserve
- Mawheraiti Scenic Reserve
- Mirfin Scenic Reserve
- Mount Courtney Scenic Reserve
- Ngakawau Scenic Reserve
- Okari Spit Scenic Reserve
- Omotumotu Scenic Reserve
- Orowaiti Estuary Scenic Reserve
- Orowaiti River Scenic Reserve
- Otututu Scenic Reserve
- Punakaiki Scenic Reserve
- Rahu Scenic Reserve
- Rapahoe Range Scenic Reserve
- Rosemount Scenic Reserve
- Rough and Brown Creek Scenic Reserve
- Station Creek Scenic Reserve
- Stockton Scenic Reserve
- Tini Kaiwai Scenic Reserve
- Upper Buller Gorge Scenic Reserve
- Woolley River Scenic Reserve