Story: West Coast region

West Coast vegetation

Most of the West Coast region was covered by native forest when humans arrived in New Zealand. Above the bush line on high mountains, conditions are too harsh for trees to grow. Much of the lowland was cleared for farming in the late 19th and 20th centuries.

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How to cite this page:

Simon Nathan, 'West Coast region - Climate and wildlife', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/21209/west-coast-vegetation (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Simon Nathan, updated 1 Sep 2016