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NZ National Park

Westland Tai Poutini National Park

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NATIONAL PARKS & RESERVES

NZ Lands and Survey Rangers' Archive

Franz Josef Glacier

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DescriptionThe Franz Josef Glacier is an iconic feature within Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Known to local Maori as Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere which translates to "the tears of the Hine Hukatere" the avalanche girl who wept frozen tears for her lost lover. The region was first described in 1847 by colonial explorer Charles Heaphy. The ice clad mountain wilderness drew explorers, homesteaders, gold miners and tourists into south Westland. Paintings, sketches and photographs portrayed the region as a great natural wonderland of high mountains, fast running rivers and dense forests. It was a vision that few adventurous travellers could resist. Year on year the number of travellers grew. To accommodate them locals built hotels and young men hired themselves out as guides and outfitters. Trails and bridges were built, huts and shelters were constructed. Those early times heralded an era of adventure tourism and nature appreciation that eventually led to the establishment of the National Park in 1960. Last edited by: Robin Mossman