Mackenzie

In reply to Jason Grant of South Canterbury Federated Farmers (Herald, June 19), the true value of the Mackenzie Country lies in its natural landscape and environment. True, there are wilding pines and other invasive species, king among these is the human species. We have altered it and have in places damaged it.

Most of New Zealand has changed since the days when people could buy cheap land and change it by deforesting it, draining swamps, diverting rivers and filling the land with livestock. Now, these are historical facts and cannot/should not be reversed, the nation depends upon the changes and chief among New Zealand’s changers/providers are the farmers. Apart from those with plaited armpits, most of us are happy with the lifestyle that the changes have brought.

History cannot possibly justify what is being done in in the Mackenzie Country because most of New Zealand and foreign tourists now know that the true value of the area is in its natural values.

Intensive farming cannot be justified by saying farmers look after the land. Of course they don’t like weeds which destroy their profits. Saying profits will help preserve the Mackenzie is akin to saying, if I cut off the head of your brother and give you some money I am saving you.

Most of the profits will be going to the owners/shareholders. Do they all live in Twizel? Businesses will indeed make more money, and so should profit, but surely the natural value of the area should take precedence on a national scale.

Times have changed and some values are being expressed more often and vocally.

How the consents were agreed to is now clear. Because the developers adhere to regulations does not make what they are doing right. It is time for someone to make a stand and preserve the Mackenzie Country. Those who allowed the process to take place, belong in history when it was OK to cut down native forest and drain swamps in the name of profit. Times have changed.

Federated Farmers as an organisation needs to recognise this fact. I hope they don’t represent a destructive/outdated process.

John Shannon Temuka