The 'Clean Green' Delusion: Behind the Myths

Abstract

To look behind the myth of New Zealand's 'clean green' image is to be immediately confronted with a number of difficulties. There is a lack of coherent collections of readily available data. Further, we New Zealanders like to be smug about ourselves and like both to 'skite' about and to be praised for our qualities. Any challenge to the veracity of the carefully marketed image of New Zealand as 'clean and green' will bring accusations of disloyalty if not of treason to New Zealand. Claims that New Zealand is clean and green are frequently tossed about  - in advertising, in political rhetoric, in a variety of self congratulatory fora. Further, we are advised to do this or that to maintain our clean and green image.