Hon Jim Anderton
Minister of Agriculture, Minister for Biosecurity, Minister of Fisheries, Minister of Forestry
Associate Minister of Health,
Associate Minister for Tertiary Education,
Minister Responsible for Public Trust
Progressive Leader
28 May 2006 Speech
Jim Anderton opens the Rail Trail in Bank Peninsula
Around eleven million years ago, around the time I first entered parliament, there were massive volcanoes here. The
hills around us today, such as Mt Herbert, are impressive. But they were only the lower slopes. The volcanoes towered as
much as six thousand feet high and 35 kilometres across. They must have dominated a spectacular landscape for millennia
before humans were around to see any of it.
Today we continue to enjoy a spectacular natural environment. It's daunting to consider the length and majesty of its
history. This walkway passes through this unrivalled landscape, shaped by countless millions of years of evolution since
the volcanoes rose here. We are custodians of the land and ecology we inherit. It falls to us to show how we value that
legacy. It falls to us to protect it and enhance it where we can; It falls to us enjoy and respect it; aand it falls to
us to pass on the treasure to those who will come after us.
This trail is a pathway in more ways than one. It's a pathway through the spectacular scenery we are privileged to
enjoy. The walkway weaves across a thousand years of human habitation. It weaves through small communities
The trail is also a pathway to understanding, that our ecology is precious, but it is also fragile. There is rich and
diverse wildlife here, especially around our fifth largest lake, Lake Ellesmere.
The lake has long been a source of commerce. Maori fished it before Europeans arrived here and then when Europeans
arrived in Christchurch they sold them their catch at fish markets. Europeans started fishing the lake commercially in
1864 - and nearly went too far. There was a time when fishermen could catch 20-kilogram long-finned eels in the lake.
(And if you think that's big - you should have seen the ones that got away). The lake is still commercially fished
today, under careful permits. The story shows the need to combine better management of our natural environment with our
search for an economic benefit. So this trail is also a pathway to enlightenment about the way we use our natural
resources.
We have begun to learn to make our way without destroying our precious resources. So we have begun to see the economic
value of this lake arising from its potential to showcase our stunning landscape and our clean green New Zealand
environment. It will be a new activity for international visitors who are interested in eco-tourism. It will help to
emphasise that everything coming from New Zealand comes from a unique and pure environment.
It's becoming more and more important as we compete to add value by being cleaner, greener and more ecologically
responsible. But we have to live those values, not just try to create an image of them. So the more we can showcase our
assets in a responsible way, the better it is for our wider economy and this trail is a pathway we can walk along
towards that goal.
The trail will also be a pathway to healthier lifestyle activities. For all the extra money we spend on the health
system, every single study shows the best dollar we can spend is in encouraging more healthy activities: we need more
walking and cycling, and this trail will be a great venue. It's particularly appropriate for older users. Most of the
trail is flat. It can be walked without carrying a huge pack because there is a broad range of places to stay, eat and
relax. A resource such as this can be enjoyed by anyone who is able to enjoy the outdoors. It is free, it is beautiful
and it is open year-round.
There are few cities in the world fortunate enough to offer such exciting activities at their backdoor. In coming years
it will continue to be developed as a major regional resource. It will be a pathway along which generations to come will
walk. They will delight that there was enough foresight shown by the people here today to develop it. And as they walk
it will therefore be a pathway, in some ways, back to today and the opening of this trail.
It is my privilege to declare the trail open. And to join with you all in hoping this rich resource is enjoyed by as
many New Zealanders and visitors as possible, who want to see the magical beauty of our Canterbury environment.
ENDS