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Story: Dune lands

National dune land reduction

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National dune land reduction

Since the Second World War, New Zealand has lost around 70% of its active dune lands. The change has not been evenly spread across regions – some areas, such as Manawatū, have lost over 80%, compared to 30% in Southland.

Using this item

Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: Mike Hilton and others, Inventory of New Zealand’s active dunelands. Wellington: Department of Conservation, 2000, p. 19

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Dune lands – Dune lands today, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/table/14047/national-dune-land-reduction (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 1 March 2009.