A couple of years ago I decided to return to Fiordland for a season. I wanted to capture it before developers destroyed it. Destroying a UNESCO World Heritage site sounds far fetched, but while I lived there two proposals were put forward to develop the park. To his eternal credit the Minister of Conservation turned them both down. This photo of Mt Madeline is taken from the front yard of Pyke Lodge, where I lived. The other is Chair Creek, a five minute walk from there. It is 18 km from the road end. Since 1936 a paper road has existed through this valley - it is possible that in the future people might be able to drive to this point. The median strip would go where I was standing. The ever changing Mount Madeline presides over the Hollyford Valley. To watch her moods shift with the light and mist was a great privilege. The thought of this beautiful valley, the largest in Fiordland, being smothered under asphalt fills me with sorrow and begs the question; just because you can, should you? It is our responsibility to pass this magical place on to the next generation in pristine condition. Ill think youll agree that New Zealands great backyard deserves to be protected.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 09:03:22 +0000