Author(s)

M. E. Lawton & E. S. Lawton

Abstract

"People and nations behave wisely - once they have exhausted all other alternatives" Winston Churchill This paper was nearly named "Sustainability in Paradise" but the authors did not wish to appear presumptuous. However, New Zealand does have a great natural character that not only enhances its inhabitants' quality of life but also provides the backbone of its economy. New Zealand trades on the "clean green image" and, for many New Zealanders, there is a genuine desire to meet and maintain that ideal. For a country strongly dependent on tourism and an export-led primary production industry, it needs to be a good global citizen through its adherence to international environmental treaties and agreements and through meeting market demands for environmental quality. So where is New Zealand along the path to sustainability? Is the country respondin

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