Westland Tai Poutini National Park - 50 Years - Franz Josef, West Coast, New Zealand
Posted by: 
denben
S 43° 23.282 E 170° 10.916
59G E 433741 N 5195768
The sculpture and the plaque are located in front of Fern Grove Souvenirs and Food Centre on Main Road in Franz Josef within Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.
Waymark Code: WMN9K2
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 01/25/2015
Views: 2
The inscription on the plaque reads
"This Rowi Sculpture commemorates the 50th Anniversary of Westland Tai Poutini National Park / 29th March 2010 / Commissioned by Franz Inc. and sponsered by: (names) / Created by local artist Hannah Kidd"
"Westland Tai Poutini National Park (established 1960) extends from the highest peaks of the Southern Alps/Ka Tiritiri o te Moana, to the rugged and remote beaches of the wild West Coast. It is an area of magnificent primeval vistas – snow-capped mountains, glaciers, forests, tussock grasslands, lakes, rivers, wetlands and beaches. This world-class scenic landscape forms part of Te Wahipounamu South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area and is a treasure trove of amazing geology, rare flora and fauna and wonderful history." (
visit link)
The Westland Tai Poutini National Park 50th anniversary celebrations, held over the weekend of 26-28 March 2010, highlighted the importance of national parks as central to New Zealand identity, and as a vital part of the West Coast economy through tourism.
As part of the events to mark the occasion, six juvenile rowi were released in the Okarito kiwi zone after having spent their early years gaining strength and weight on a predator-free island so as to be able to defend themselves against stoats. The six birds from the BNZ Operation Nest Egg programme delighted many who had never seen these rare nocturnal birds.
The newly sealed Franz Josef and Fox Glacier Valley roads were also opened during the weekend by Kate Wilkinson, the Minister of Conservation. A joint project between the NZ Transport Agency and DOC, the upgrade has enhanced the driving experience for visitors. Source: (
visit link)