Story: Farming and the environment

Pre-Māori vegetation cover (1st of 3)

Pre-Māori vegetation cover

Before Māori arrived in New Zealand, more than 80% of the country was covered in forest, including the drier eastern regions of both islands. The main non-forested area is the South Island high country.

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Source: Malcolm McKinnon, ed., Bateman New Zealand historical atlas: ko papatuanuku e takoto nei. Auckland: David Bateman, 1997, plate 8

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How to cite this page:

Julia Haggerty and Hugh Campbell, 'Farming and the environment - Early changes', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/map/17880/pre-maori-vegetation-cover (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Julia Haggerty and Hugh Campbell, published 24 Nov 2008