Abel Tasman National Park is a national park located at the northern end of New Zealand's South Island. It covers 237.1 km (91.5 sq mi) of land between Golden Bay / Mohua and Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, making it the smallest national park in New Zealand. Despite its size, the park is one of the most visited, partly because of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, which stretches 60 km (37 mi) along the eastern and northern coastal areas of the park.

People have lived in the area for about 700 years. Early Māori groups, such as Waitaha and Rapuwai, were among the first to live there. After European settlers, known as Pākehā, arrived in the 19th century, the land was changed greatly through activities like cutting down trees, farming, and mining. These changes altered the environment significantly. As a result, the park is one of the most changed landscapes among New Zealand's national parks. Park managers focus on helping the natural environment recover and return to its original state.

The park was created in 1942 to honor the 300th anniversary of Abel Tasman's 1642 visit to New Zealand, when he became the first European to see the islands. Over time, the park has grown larger from its original boundaries. The most recent addition was 7 hectares (17 acres) in Awaroa Inlet, which was added after a campaign where people donated money to support the project.

History

The coastal area was home to the Māori people for hundreds of years before Europeans arrived. They lived in the area both seasonally and permanently, and they harvested food from forests, estuaries, and waters. They also grew kūmara, a type of sweet potato.

Historical records show that a pā, or village, was built at Auckland Point by a man named Pohea around 1450. He traveled there from the Whanganui area. From the mid-1500s until the early 1600s, the Muaūpoko people (formerly called Ngāi Tara) lived in the area. They were later driven out by the Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri people. Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri were present when Abel Tasman arrived at Golden Bay / Mohua in 1642.

The park was created in 1942, mainly because of the work of Pérrine Moncrieff, an ornithologist and author. She helped ensure land was set aside for the park. Moncrieff was part of the park board from 1943 to 1974.

The park was officially opened on December 18, 1942, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Abel Tasman’s visit. People at the opening ceremony in Tarakohe included Charles van der Plas, who represented Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. The Queen became the park’s Patron.

The idea for the park was first discussed in June 1938. The government reserved 15,225 hectares (37,622 acres) for the park, including 8,900 hectares (21,900 acres) of planned forest land, 5,809 hectares (14,354 acres) of Crown land, and 554 hectares (1,368 acres) of other protected land. The Golden Bay Cement Company donated land for the Abel Tasman Monument and a plaque. The area’s main historical importance comes from Abel Tasman’s visit in 1642, D’Urville’s visit in 1827, and the arrival of the New Zealand Company ships Whitby, Will Watch, and Arrow in 1841. The area is also known for its rich plant life.

By 1946, the park covered 15,534 hectares (38,386 acres) after buying more land. In 1949, 844 hectares (2,085 acres) at Tōtaranui, previously owned by William Gibbs, was added to the park. Since then, about 6,100 hectares (15,000 acres) have been added. In 2008, an additional 7.9 km (790 hectares; 3.1 square miles), including the private land called Hadfields Clearing, was added to the park.

In 2016, 7 hectares (17 acres) of land in Awaroa Inlet was bought by New Zealanders through a crowdfunding campaign.

Geography

The park covers an area of 237 km² (92 square miles; 59,000 acres) and is the smallest national park in New Zealand. It is located to the north of the valleys of the Tākaka and Riwaka Rivers and includes forested, hilly land. The park is surrounded on the north by the waters of Golden Bay / Mohua and Tasman Bay. It includes some islands near the coast, such as the Tata Islands in Golden Bay / Mohua, and Tonga Island, Motuareronui / Adele Island, and Fisherman Island in Tasman Bay.

The park does not extend beyond the Mean High Water Mark on the nearby coast. The area between the Mean High Water Mark and the Mean Low Water Springs is designated as a Scenic Reserve and covers a total of 7.74 km² (2.99 square miles). The Tonga Island Marine Reserve is next to part of the park.

The Abel Tasman Monument, which is not located inside the park, honors the first contact between Europeans and Māori. It is near the northern end of the park.

Ecology

Abel Tasman National Park is different from many other national parks in New Zealand because a large part of it has experienced major changes to its environment over time. Early European settlers burned or removed much of the forest. They discovered that the soil was not good for farming. This practice damaged many forests and shrublands and brought in non-native plants that are now found in the park. However, over time, the original ecosystems and forests are slowly returning.

The park includes many different habitats, such as coastal forests, bogs in higher areas, and sand dunes. Because of this variety, many different species of plants and animals live there. The islands within the park, including Tonga Island, Motuareronui/Adele Island, and Fisherman Island, have been disturbed less than other areas. These islands do not have mammals that were brought in by people. As a result, they are home to species not found elsewhere in the park, and visitor access is more limited there.

Although much of the park is covered with grasslands or shrubs, the valleys contain forests with trees like rātā, mataī, miro, and hinau.

More than 70 bird species have been recorded in the park. Birds that are often seen include petrels, shags, penguins, gulls, terns, and herons. Animals such as possums, wild pigs, deer, and goats can also be found in the park.

Conservation and human interaction

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a well-known hiking path that follows the coastline and is one of the Department of Conservation's Great Walks. The Abel Tasman Inland Track is visited less often. Other trails in the park, such as the Wainui Falls Track, are described as "short walks." Activities in the park also include kayaking, camping, and sightseeing.

People usually enter the park through the small village of Mārahau or Kaiteriteri by taking a water taxi. The nearest large town is Motueka, which is 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the south. Dogs, except for guide dogs, are not allowed in the park.

The Department of Conservation manages the National Park. The Scenic Reserve is managed by the Tasman District Council Chief Executive and the Department of Conservation's Nelson/Marlborough Conservator. Activities in nearby coastal waters are managed by the Tasman District Council. These areas follow different rules.

The national park is divided into three types of areas, each with different rules for visitors:

• The Coast: This area includes the coastal edge along the eastern side of the park, extending inland up to 500 meters from the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Management goals include restoring wetlands and dunes, protecting endangered plants, controlling pests, and protecting land near the park. Other tasks involve maintaining coastal access points and facilities for hikers and visitors.
• The Interior: This area includes the park's inland regions. Management tasks include studying the environment, controlling pests, and protecting heritage sites and caves.
• The Islands: This includes all islands in the park, some of which are not open to the public. Key goals include keeping the islands free of invasive animals, reintroducing native species, and reducing human impact.

• Abel Tasman National Park viewed from above
• Tōtaranui, a 1 km long beach and home to a large campsite
• Swingbridge on the hiking trail
• Wainui Falls, located at the end of a short walk starting in Wainui Bay

In 2012, a private group called Project Janszoon was created to restore the park's ecosystems. The group is named after Abel Tasman's middle name, Janszoon. Its goal is to complete the restoration by the time of the 400th anniversary of Tasman's visit and the park's 100th anniversary in 2042.

The Department of Conservation and Project Janszoon created a free virtual visitor center that can be downloaded to smartphones or tablets. The app provides information about the park's history, plants and animals, points of interest, weather, hiking trails, and tides. This app is available at no cost through the App Store or Google Play Store.