Scenic reserves are a type of New Zealand protected area. They are the most common, and probably most widespread, form of protected area in the country. Reserves vary size with most being less than 100 hectares, although some are more than 1,000 hectares. Some are "islands of unspoilt nature in a sea of farmland".
Scenic reserves were first created when communities decided to keep some original vegetation in an area where most original vegetation had been removed. Most are patches of bush, often close to roads. Statutory control of scenic reserves was covered by the Scenery Preservation Act 1903 until the passing of the Reserves Act 1977.
To classify an area as a scenic reserve a local authority is required to follow the procedure provided in that Reserves Act. The local authority needs to classify the area as a scenic reserve under section 16 of the Reserves Act 1977, and then declare the area a scenic reserve, giving the public an opportunity to raise objections. Once the allotted time for raising objections has past, the local authority is required to all objections submitted and decide whether to pass a resolution declaring the area a scenic reserve. If the resolution is passed, the resolution and all objects are forwarded to the Minister of Conservation. The resolution also needs to be gazetted by publishing the resolution in the New Zealand Gazette.
North Island
The following scenic reserves are located in and around the North Island:
Northland
Aponga Settlement Scenic Reserve Aputerewa Scenic Reserve Arapaoa River Scenic Reserve Awanui River Scenic Reserve Black Rocks Scenic Reserve Blake Bush Scenic Reserve Brattys Bush Scenic Reserve Bream Head Scenic Reserve Bream Islands Scenic Reserve Bream Tail Scenic Reserve Broadwood Scenic Reserve Brynderwyn Scenic Reserve Busby Head Scenic Reserve Collins Scenic Reserve Cooks Stream Scenic Reserve Deep Water Cove Scenic Reserve Dip Road Scenic Reserve Donnelly's Crossing Scenic Reserve Frampton Scenic Reserve Gill Road Scenic Reserve Gorrie Scenic Reserve Harrison Scenic Reserve Hilel Korman Scenic Reserve Horotutu Scenic Reserve Hugh Crawford Memorial Scenic Reserve Hukatere Scenic Reserve Hukatere School Site Scenic Reserve Kaeo Bush Scenic Reserve Kaiaka Quarry Scenic Reserve Kaihu Scenic Reserve Kaikohe Scenic Reserve Kaimarama Bay Scenic Reserve Kaimaro Scenic Reserve Kaitaia Scenic Reserve Kapiro Scenic Reserve Karakamatamata Scenic Reserve Katui Scenic Reserve Kauri Bushmans Memorial Scenic Reserve Kerikeri Inlet Scenic Reserve Kerikeri River Scenic Reserve Kings Kauri Scenic Reserve Kioreroa Scenic Reserve Kororareka Point Scenic Reserve Kukuparere Scenic Reserve Lake Waiporohita Scenic Reserve Langs Beach Scenic Reserve Lower Pahi River Scenic Reserve L T Hirst Scenic Reserve Mahinepua Peninsula Scenic Reserve Mamaranui Farm Settlement Scenic Reserve Manaia Ridge Scenic Reserve Manawahuna Scenic Reserve Mangakahia River Scenic Reserve Mangamuka Gorge Scenic Reserve Mangataipa Scenic Reserve Mangatete Farm Settlement Scenic Reserve Manginangina Scenic Reserve Mansbridge Scenic Reserve Marko Buselich Scenic Reserve Marlborough Road Scenic Reserve Marua Valley Scenic Reserve Mata Farm Settlement Scenic Reserve Matakohe River Scenic Reserve Mataraua Valley Scenic Reserve Matarau Island Scenic Reserve Maunganui Bluff Scenic Reserve Maungatapere Hill Scenic Reserve Maungatika Scenic Reserve Maungaturoto Scenic Reserve McKenzies of Limestone Hill Park Scenic Reserve Mimiha Scenic Reserve Mimiwhangata Scenic Reserve Mokaikai Scenic Reserve Montgomery's Memorial Bush Scenic Reserve Motatau Scenic Reserve Motuarahi Scenic Reserve Motukaraka Scenic Reserve Motu Kauri Island Scenic Reserve Motukawanui Island Scenic Reserve Motupapa Island Scenic Reserve Moturua Island Scenic Reserve Motutangi Scenic Reserve Motutapu Island Scenic Reserve Ngaiotonga Scenic Reserve Nga Kiekie Whawhanui a Uenuku Scenic Reserve Ngawha Scenic Reserve Ngunguru River Scenic Reserve Nihonui Scenic Reserve North River Scenic Reserve Okaharau Road Scenic Reserve Okahu Island Scenic Reserve Oke Bay Scenic Reserve Onoke Scenic Reserve Opouteke Scenic Reserve Opua Scenic Reserve Oraora Scenic Reserve Otaika Valley Scenic Reserve Otaneroa Scenic Reserve Otito Scenic Reserve Owhuia Scenic Reserve Paeroa-Knuckle Point Scenic Reserve Pakanae Reserve Pakaraka Kauri Scenic Reserve Pakotai Scenic Reserve Papakuri Scenic Reserve Paparoa Creek Scenic Reserve Paponga Scenic Reserve Parahaki Scenic Reserve Parahi Scenic Reserve Paranui Scenic Reserve Pareokawa Water Conservation Scenic Reserve Pitokuku Scenic Reserve Pohuenui Scenic Reserve Popo Scenic Reserve Poroporo Island Scenic Reserve Poupouwhenua Scenic Reserve Pukeareinga Scenic Reserve Pukekaroro Scenic Reserve Pukemiro Block Scenic Reserve Puketi Scenic Reserve Puketona Scenic Reserve Purua Scenic Reserve Rabbit & Goat Island Scenic Reserve Rainbow Falls Scenic Reserve Ranfurly Bay Scenic Reserve Rangitane Scenic Reserve Rawene Scenic Reserve Reotahi Scenic Reserve Riponui Scenic Reserve Robert Hastie Memorial Scenic Reserve Rotokakahi River Scenic Reserve Ruakākā Scenic Reserve Runaruna Scenic Reserve Smokey Hill Scenic Reserve Soda Springs Scenic Reserve Stockyard Point Scenic Reserve St. Pauls Rock Scenic Reserve Sweetwater Scenic Reserve Taha Moana Scenic Reserve Taheke Scenic Reserve Takou River Scenic Reserve Tamateatai Point Scenic Reserve Tangowahine Scenic Reserve Tapuhi Scenic Reserve Tapuwae Scenic Reserve Taraire Scenic Reserve Taranaki Island Scenic Reserve Tauranga Valley Scenic Reserve Te Koroa Scenic Reserve Te Kowhai Creek Scenic Reserve Te Kuihi Scenic Reserve Te Opu Scenic Reserve Te Toroa Scenic Reserve Te-Uri-O-Hau Scenic Reserve Te Wai-O-Te Marama Scenic Reserve Timperleys Bush Scenic Reserve Tipatipa Scenic Reserve Tokatoka Scenic Reserve Topuni Scenic Reserve Toretore Island Scenic Reserve Trounson Kauri Park Scenic Reserve Tutamoe Scenic Reserve Upper Pahi River Scenic Reserve Upper Paparoa Creek Scenic Reserve Uretiti Scenic Reserve Utakura Scenic Reserve Wahaotetupua Scenic Reserve Waimamaku Scenic Reserve Waimata Settlement Scenic Reserve Waiotama Scenic Reserve Waipapa Stream Scenic Reserve Waipu Caves Road Scenic Reserve Waipu Gorge Scenic Reserve Waipu Scenic Reserve Wairua Falls Scenic Reserve Waitangi Wetland Scenic Reserve Waitawa Scenic Reserve Waro Limestone Scenic Reserve Watkin Powel Scenic Reserve Wekaweka Scenic Reserve Whakaangi Scenic Reserve Whakapirau River Scenic Reserve Whangamumu Scenic Reserve Whangaruru Harbour Scenic Reserve Whangaruru North Head Scenic Reserve
Auckland
Burgess Island Scenic Reserve Harataonga Scenic Reserve Kohatutara Scenic Reserve Kotuku Point Scenic Reserve Leigh Scenic Reserve Mātaitai Scenic Reserve Moturekareka Island Scenic Reserve Motutara Island Scenic Reserve Ngā Pona-toru-a-Peretū Scenic Reserve Okura Bush Scenic Reserve Papa Turoa Scenic Reserve Pukekohe Hill Scenic Reserve Rabbit & Goat Island Scenic Reserve Rakitu Island Scenic Reserve Rangatawhiri Scenic Reserve Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve Raventhorpe Scenic Reserve Richardson Scenic Reserve Sharp Point Scenic Reserve Smeltinghouse Bay Scenic Reserve Tai Rawhiti Scenic Reserve Te Atamira Scenic Reserve Te Matuku Bay Scenic Reserve Te Morehu Scenic Reserve Ti Point Scenic Reserve Tryphena Scenic Reserve Waiheke Island Scenic Reserve Wairoa Gorge Scenic Reserve Whakatiri Scenic Reserve
Bay of Plenty Region
Arahiwi Railway Scenic Reserve Carrie Gibbons Scenic Reserve Dansey's Road Scenic Reserve Hawai Scenic Reserve Hidden Gorge Scenic Reserve Hinehopu Scenic Reserve Isthmus Scenic Reserve Kōhī Point Scenic Reserve Lake Ōkareka Scenic Reserve Lake Rotoiti Scenic Reserve Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake) Scenic Reserve Lake Rotomā Scenic Reserve Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve Lake Tikitapu Scenic Reserve Makatiti Dome Scenic Reserve Mamaku Scenic Reserve Mangaone Scenic Reserve Mangapouri Scenic Reserve Mangorewa Scenic Reserve Matatā Scenic Reserve Matawhaura North Scenic Reserve Maunga Kākaramea Scenic Reserve Meremere Hill Scenic Reserve Miller Bush Scenic Reserve Minden Scenic Reserve Mokorua Bush Scenic Reserve Motuotau Island Scenic Reserve Mount Ngongotahā Scenic Reserve Ohinekoao Scenic Reserve Ohineteraraku Scenic Reserve Ōhiwa Scenic Reserve Ōhope Scenic Reserve Ōkere Falls Scenic Reserve Omanawa Scenic Reserve Ongaonga Scenic Reserve Opape Scenic Reserve Oroi Scenic Reserve Orokawa Scenic Reserve Oscar Reeve Scenic Reserve Otawa Scenic Reserve Pareheru Scenic Reserve Parimahana Scenic Reserve Pokopoko Stream Scenic Reserve Puketoki Scenic Reserve Roydon Downs Scenic Reserve Stanley Falls Scenic Reserve Tarawera Landing Scenic Reserve Tarukenga Scenic Reserve Parimahana Scenic Reserve Pokopoko Stream Scenic Reserve Puketoki Scenic Reserve Roydon Downs Scenic Reserve Stanley Falls Scenic Reserve Tarawera Landing Scenic Reserve Tarukenga Scenic Reserve Taumata Scenic Reserve Tautau Scenic Reserve Tauwhare Pa Scenic Reserve Te Atuahauta Scenic Reserve Te Rerekawau Scenic Reserve Te Waerenga Scenic Reserve Toa Toa Scenic Reserve Tokata Scenic Reserve Umurua Scenic Reserve Uretara Island Scenic Reserve Waimana Gorge Scenic Reserve Waimangu Scenic Reserve Waione Block Scenic Reserve Waiotahe Estuary Scenic Reserve Waiotahe Spit Scenic Reserve Waiotane Scenic Reserve Waioweka Gorge Scenic Reserve Whanarua Bay Scenic Reserve
Gisborne Region
Gray's Bush Scenic Reserve Hangaroa Scenic Reserve Henri Loisel Scenic Reserve Mākaramea Scenic Reserve Makaretū Scenic Reserve Mangarere Scenic Reserve Mōtū Scenic Reserve Norma Leonie Shelton Scenic Reserve Nuhiti Q Scenic Reserve Otoko Scenic Reserve Pākōwhai Scenic Reserve Papatu Scenic Reserve Pukeamaru Scenic Reserve Rākauroa Scenic Reserve Strathblane Scenic Reserve Tahungatawa Scenic Reserve Pākōwhai Scenic Reserve Rākauroa Scenic Reserve Strathblane Scenic Reserve Tahungatawa Scenic Reserve Te Ārai Scenic Reserve Waioweka Gorge Scenic Reserve Waipare Scenic Reserve Whakarau Scenic Reserve Whakaroa Scenic Reserve Wharerata Hill Scenic Reserve
Hawke's Bay
A'Deanes Bush Scenic Reserve Ball's Clearing Scenic Reserve Begleys Fill Scenic Reserve Bellbird Bush Scenic Reserve Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve Erepeti Scenic Reserve Frasers Bush Scenic Reserve Hiranui Scenic Reserve Hutchinson Scenic Reserve Inglis Bush Scenic Reserve Kakariki Scenic Reserve Mangapukahu Scenic Reserve Mangatewai River Scenic Reserve Maraetotara Gorge Scenic Reserve Maraetotara Scenic Reserve Matai Moana Scenic Reserve Mcleans Bush Scenic Reserve Mohi Bush Scenic Reserve Monckton Scenic Reserve Opoto Scenic Reserve Opouahi Scenic Reserve Parkers Bush Scenic Reserve Paterson's Bush Scenic Reserve Ruakituri Scenic Reserve Sentry Box Scenic Reserve Springhill Scenic Reserve Tangoio Falls Scenic Reserve Tarawera Hot Springs Reserve Te Raupo Scenic Reserve Te Reinga Scenic Reserve Tukituki River Scenic Reserve Turangakumu Scenic Reserve Waiatai Scenic Reserve Waipātiki Scenic Reserve Waipunga Falls Scenic Reserve Waitara / Glenfalls Scenic Reserve White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve William Hartree Memorial Scenic Reserve
Manawatū-Whanganui Region
Almadale Scenic Reserve Aorangi Scenic Reserve Āpiti Scenic Reserve Arawata Caves Scenic Reserve Auputa Scenic Reserve Awahou Scenic Reserve Awahuri Scenic Reserve Bottom Bush Scenic Reserve Bridge Road Scenic Reserve Bruce Memorial Scenic Reserve Bruce Park Scenic Reserve Carnival Park Scenic Reserve C.L. Pemberton Memorial Park Scenic Reserve Dress Circle Scenic Reserve Galbraith Scenic Reserve Glenmorven Scenic Reserve Gordon Park Scenic Reserve