Geopark for Kaikoura?
The Kaikoura landscape changed overnight last November, bypassing thousands of years of gradual change in more than a minute of sudden violent shaking.
It ticks all the boxes, a tourism lecturer says, to be included in a world-wide network of parks set up to showcase landscapes of outstanding geological significance.
Lincoln University masters student Josi Kaloumaira, from Fiji, is researching that very possibility: for a UNESCO-accredited geopark to be set up in Kaikoura.
Geoparks are a fairly new concept. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation only started developing the idea in 2001.
There are now 127 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 35 countries, but despite a wealth of natural beauty and geological features none have been set up in New Zealand.
Kaloumaira believes Kaikoura could be the perfect place to start.
‘‘The town has been thrust into the public consciousness in terms of its geology after the earthquake exposed some of the area’s geological features,’’ she said.
‘‘We also know from previous studies that conservation attracts tourists so this could be an ideal project for Kaikoura.’’
Post-earthquake changes to the Kaikoura landscape have already attracted plenty of interest, from the bubbling Hope Springs in Whalers Bay to the alien-vistas of the uplifted seabed.
Further north rafters on the Clarence River were gifted a new whitewater rapid, and surfers have also had plenty of action on new breaks created up and down the coastline.
Lincoln University parks, recreation and tourism senior lec- turer Dr Stephen Espiner said Kaloumaira’s dissertation could form the foundation for someone to champion a geopark for Kaikoura.
Espiner, who was supervising Kaloumaira’s work, said she was looking at the legislation that would be required to create a park, and consulting members of the Kaikoura community.
Geoparks were typically centred around a visitor centre or museum, which he suggested could be set up in the town to direct visitors to various geological sites.
‘‘We’re not talking about a silver bullet necessarily, but I do think it could be very effective as one of several initiatives to help Kaikoura recover and reform itself,’’ he said.
‘‘There’s a range of different geological processes at work and a very dynamic coast, which has always attracted people.
‘‘The opportunity the earthquake has presented is a reformed landscape - it’s very unique and it demands interpretation.’’