Submitted by Jackalyn Boland on the 2019 winter session study abroad program in Australia and New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Business Administration…
This past week, my group traveled to Piha Beach, New Zealand. We went on a cultural excursion to the black sand beaches and Kitekite Falls. We hiked over two miles to reach the top of Kitekite, a natural waterfall nestled in the middle of a forest. Through this experience, I learned the importance of environmental conservation to native Kiwi people and the country as a whole. Before the hike, we were required to clean our sneakers through a special system installed at the entry gate. It sprayed a unique chemical to the soles of our shoes in order to avoid the spread of excess germs and diseases that could harm the plants and soil in the forest. I asked the woman working at the entry gate of the forest many questions about the system put in place and she stated that New Zealand has many governmental policies put in place to protect the natural landscape of the country. New Zealand relies heavily on the agriculture industry and the booming tourism that comes with the natural beauty of the country, therefore people make conservation a large priority. In many places, especially Kitekite Falls, there are signs that state things like “Do not step on the grass,” to avoid harming the environment. This made me reflect on the environmental policies in the United States and compare them to the high emphasis put on policies in New Zealand.