This is the devastating truth of New Zealand's natural heritage that tourists often don't realise: Since colonisation, we've lost nearly 75% of our native forests, and our wetlands have dwindled to a mere 10% of their original extent, largely due to drainage for agriculture. On top of that, our lowland rivers and lakes are polluted beyond that of many other countries, and over 4,000 of our species are threatened or at risk of extinction. While people will often visit our protected alpine regions and get a rose-tinted view of reality, it's important to acknowledge that this is just a small part of the country - and we are continuing the ecocide even to this day. Share this post if you think people need to know the truth about New Zealand 🌿🌏 #connecttonature #unpopulartravelopinions #adventuresustainably #leavenotrace #cleangreennz