Land use transformation : exploring private small holdings and conservation opportunities along the estuary in Tasman, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Management at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract

This study looks at the historical land use change of an area on the Waimea Inlet, an area close to the cities of Richmond and Nelson, New Zealand. This is an area with high ecological value that supports many native and migratory bird species. The use of aerial photograph comparisons between the 1940s, 1980s and 2020s paints a picture of an area that has undergone a significant transformation from productive orchards and grasslands to higher density residential lifestyle properties. It also shows that native vegetation has become very fragmented over the peninsulas. The land cover change and interviews indicate that there is a lot of land that is not used for productive purposes on these smaller lifestyle blocks. To look at potential to utilise this unused land for conservation purposes this research developed an understanding of the perceived barriers to conservation of the current landowners of smaller lifestyle holdings in this area. The results indicated that many landowners value conservation and the amenity of the area but face barriers such as time constraints and varying levels practical knowledge. The findings suggest that policies supporting coordinated efforts between private landowners, community volunteer groups and government agencies to connect fragmented areas of native vegetation are crucial for enhancing biodiversity. These vegetative connections are necessary to ensure ecological resilience in this area for species into the future.