CONTED SERIES 34 - National Parks - What's In Them For You.
A series to inform New Zealander's about their National Parks and how to get out and enjoy them. Features comments from many of the park rangers who explain what is unique and interesting about their park and give tips for great places to visit.
Broadcast on the National Programme in August 1979
Researched and produced by Joan Faulkner Blake.
7 x 15'00'' programmes.
Programme 1: Not only for the hairy-legged.
National Parks Service administrator Bing Lucas explains that there are many different things to see in the parks, and a range of tracks and activities to provide access for all types of people to the beauty of the parks.
Duration: 14'01''
7" ORT 97/112/34/1,
Preserved to CDR97/112/34/1, 15-01-04, NG.
Programme 2: Along the economy trail.
Advice for those who might be put off by the imagined cost of visiting the National Parks. Arthurs Pass National Park Chief Ranger Ian Blackmore explains how for less than $7 trampers can get a return railcar from Christchurch which will stop and let them off, or pick them up anywhere in the park. He also explains the modern hut facilities available in the park, designed with family parties in mind, and are a far cry from the dirt floor tin huts of the past..
Duration: 14'01''
7" ORT 97/112/34/2
Preserved to CDR97/112/34/2, 15-01-04, NG.
Programme 3: Services in the parks.
John Clay, Chief Ranger at Egmont (Taranaki) National Park, comments on the changing face of the traditional nature walk. Guide, Shirley Burke, describes some of the wonderful plants that can be seen in the park when you know where to look. Other rangers and participants comment on the diversity and value of the summer programmes.
Duartion: 13'01''
7" ORT 97/112/34/3
Preserved to CDR97/112/34/3, 15-01-04, NG.
Programme 4: Birds, Bats and other creatures.
Dr Gordon Williams, Ranger George Lyon, and others comment on some of the unique fauna to be found in the national parks including birds like the Kea and Kokako, lizards, insects like the Weta, stick insects, moths, fish, and the native Short Tailed Bat. Shirley Burke describes the fantastic vegetable caterpillar, a fungus which infests a caterpillar and causes a stalk to grow out of the perfectly preserved (though dead) caterpillar's body.
Duration: 13'31''
7" ORT 97/112/34/4
Preserved to CDR97/112/34/4, 15-01-04, NG.
Programme 5: On and off the beaten track.
Rangers tell of the more and lesser known sights and tracks in their parks. Mentioned are the vast forests and numerous waterfalls of Urewera National Park, the lesser known tracks that circle both the Taranaki, and Tongariro mountain parks, helicopter trips up the Westland glaciers, boat trips in Doubtful Sound, and the sights that many people miss if they don't take their time on the car trip to Milford Sound.
Duration: 13'41''
7" ORT 97/112/34/5
Preserved to CDR97/112/34/5, 19-01-04, NG.
Programme 6: Catching it on film
Climber, naturalist and photographer Walter Fowley gives some tips to photographers wanting to get the most out of the National Parks, including where, when, what and how to photograph. He and others suggest some of the more photogenic places in the National Parks, including the reflections in Lake Matheson.
Duration: 12'31''
7" ORT 97/112/34/6
Preserved to CDR97/112/34/6, 19-01-04, NG.
Programme 7: Odd one out.
This programme looks in more detail at the unique situation of Abel Tasman National Park. Chief Ranger Geoff Rennison discusses the parks unique accessible coastline and diverse and modified landscape and the steps being taken to care for this piece of land including nursery and planting programmes designed to speed up the regeneration of native plants.
Duration: 13'16''
7" ORT 97/112/34/7
Preserved to CDR97/112/34/7, 19-01-04, NG.