right|thumb|West Matukituki Valley and the [[Matukituki River seen from Cascade Saddle in Mount Aspiring National Park]]

Protected areas of New Zealand are areas that are in some way protected to preserve their environmental, scientific, scenic, historical, cultural or recreational value. There are about 10,000 protected areas, covering about a third of the country. The method and aims of protection vary according to the importance of the resource and whether it is publicly or privately owned.

Nearly 30 percent of New Zealand's land mass is publicly owned with some degree of protection. Most of this land – about – is administered by the Department of Conservation. There are 13 national parks,

History

The Māori people of New Zealand have a tradition of declaring a rāhui to restrict access to or exploitation of resources.

Governor Hobson (in office 1840–1842) had instructions from the United Kingdom Home Secretary John Russell for the setting aside of some Crown land in New Zealand: "reserved, for the use of the public at large, all tracts which are likely to be required for purposes of public health, utility, convenience, or enjoyment."

The Public Reserves Act 1854 allowed the Crown to grant public-utility reserves to provinces. The Public Domains Act 1860 covered domains in Auckland and Wellington and allowed the Governor of New Zealand to buy other land. These powers were further extended by the Public Reserves Act 1877, the Public Reserves Act 1881, the Public Reserves and Domains Act 1908, the Public Reserves, Domains and National Parks Act 1928, and the Reserves and Domains Act 1953.

The Reserves Act 1977 superseded previous acts. These areas provide a habitat for many rare plants and animals, and a place for walking, mountain climbing, boating, snow sports and other forms of recreation. It was formally established as a national park in 1894 Te Urewera National Park, established in 1954, was disestablished in 2014 when Te Urewera was returned to the Tuhoe people. As of 2015, there are 13 national parks covering a combined .

Marine reserves

The Marine Reserves Act 1971 protects several marine areas around New Zealand known as marine reserves. In these areas there is a complete ban on fishing, and on removing or disturbing marine life.

The first marine reserve, Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve, was established in 1975.

  • National reserves are areas that have been designated as having national importance due to their historical or ecological value.
  • Nature reserves are reserves established to protect indigenous flora or fauna, or rare or scientifically important natural features. Entry to these reserves is limited to those with specific permits. including to protect reservoir catchments. Specific rules apply to esplanade reserves.
  • Wilderness areas are reserves or parts of reserves maintained in a natural state, with a ban on buildings, roads, human infrastructure or introduced animals.
  • Conservation parks are a group of 54 areas protected for their natural and historic resources, and for public use, covering an area of . They include 36 forest parks that predate the 1987 legislation.
  • Wilderness areas are areas of land managed for preservation of indigenous natural resources. Buildings, machinery, livestock, vehicles, aircraft, roads and tracks are banned in these areas unless it is for a specific management, scientific or safety purpose.
  • Sanctuary areas are areas managed to preserve indigenous plants and animals in their natural state and for scientific and other similar purposes. In each area, both the land and waters have outstanding natural or recreational characteristics.
  • Marginal strips are barriers of land adjoining the sea, lakes or rivers. They are protected for conservation, the maintenance of waters, water quality, aquatic life, protecting natural values, and ensuring ongoing public access.
  • Mainland islands are areas of the mainland North Island and South Island that are isolated by pest-exclusion fences, geographical features or intensive pest control.

Locally protected areas

Many areas are protected and administered by local government:

  • Regional parks are protected areas administered by regional councils and unitary authorities.
  • Local parks are protected areas administered by territorial authorities and unitary authorities.

Internationally protected areas

There are ten areas in New Zealand protected by international law:

  • There are seven wetlands protected as Ramsar sites under the Ramsar Convention and administered by the Department of Conservation, covering an area of about . Most other wetlands are not formally protected, but projects have been established to restore those that remain.
  • There are three World Heritage Sites legally protected by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) due to their cultural, historical, scientific or other significance to humanity. There are Te Wahipounamu, Tongariro National Park and the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands.