Deforestation has also become an issue in New Zealand.  Because most Mt. Cook is covered in snow and ice this problem does not affect the mountain however, the lower temperate rainforests and eastside of the Mt. Cook National Park are.   Widespread clearing of mixed evergreen forests are occurring to create more agricultural land and to gather timber for building (Encarta 2007).  The clearing causes loss of wildlife habitat and soil erosion.  The government is currently attempting to solve this problem with reforestation and the planting of fast growing non-indigenous species to provide ground cover. 

On a good note, New Zealand has pioneered many conservation efforts and has been actively involved in international environmental agreements such as biodiversity and marine dumping.  One conservation effort is the clearing of rats and other predators from offshore islands to help native birds at risk of extinction survive.  Many of these birds, such as the albatross, do not last on the mainland because of their inability to coexist with carnivores (Whittaker 1998).  Their efforts have helped restore the populations of many endangered birds.  New Zealanders also are known for their tradition of environmental activism.  They are very active in opposing the damming of rivers and the use of nuclear reactors.