About the book.

Imagine………

In 1990 Jim Lynch came up with the revolutionary idea of “urban conservation” expressed in a radical plan to “Bring the Birds back to Wellington”. Two years later he came up with the even more daring concept of “community conservation”. His visionary 1992 proposal for the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary (now Zealandia) imagined a predator-fenced, community driven eco-sanctuary, populated with endangered species and located just 2 km from the Wellington CBD. 

30 years later, due to the combined efforts of thousands of dedicated people, both initiatives are resounding successes. Natural Wellington and Zealandia have transformed Wellington from a biological cot-case into an international showcase of urban conservation and, inspired by Jim’s vision and Zealandia, community conservation took off around the nation to become the most dynamic area of growth in NZ conservation in recent times.

This book is the story of how one man’s dream became a reality and changed a city and a nation. It is an uplifting account of an unlikely journey; of daring innovation, of the grit and determination of an ever expanding community that seized the dream and pursued it against the odds to build a jewel that will be treasured by generations yet to be born. It is a celebration of the people who made it all happen.

“Jim Lynch is one of those dangerous dreamers who persevere against the odds until their dream becomes reality. His story of Zealandia is the story of a dream come true, of odds overcome; and it is in many ways Jim’s personal story, for Zealandia was his inspiration and his passion, which over the years he has shared with a growing team of people of many and diverse backgrounds and skills, until we have the world-renowned Zealandia of today.” 

The Right Honourable Sir Michael Hardie-Boyes. GNZM, GCMG, QSO, KStJ. 17th Governor-General of New Zealand.

Radio NZ national interview. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018714660/the-story-of-zealandia

You Tube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B21ruDck0OM

The book is published by the authors company, Kotare Publications and is now available. It can be purchased from the Zealandia gift shop, most bookshops in the southern North Island and direct from the author via email request at jimeve@xtra.co.nz . Preferred payment when purchasing direct is by internet banking. When ordering direct please supply the number required and your shipping address. Prices are as below.

Details of the book. Price $49.95 (inclusive of GST) plus $7 postage and handling in New Zealand. Shipping for multiple items within New Zealand or overseas will be extra and can be advised on request. The book is a trade paperback, softcover with french flaps, 240 pages. Full colour. Size 265 mm height X 205 mm width. Satin high quality paper. 130 colour photographs and images.

Reviews.

Radio NZ National -nine to noon. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018720593/book-review-zealandia-the-valley-that-changed-a-nation

NZ Listener. Selected as one of the NZ Listeners ‘100 best books of 2019’.

Paul Atkins. ‘ZEALANDIA; the valley that changed a nation is a great read and an important account of an extraordinary adventure which continues to demonstrate remarkable achievements and far-reaching impacts.’

Paul Wilson. ‘What a pleasure to read. The untold stories, the history, the people, the anecdotes - all the things you didn’t know (but wanted to). Reading the book engages you. You really feel as though you’re right there with Jim, at his side. You’ll experience the highs, the lows, the wins, the losses, adversity ... elation’.

Juli Usmar. ‘I really enjoy the way Jim writes: un-emotive and clear – making the book a real pleasure to read. I’m in awe of how he can write about, often quite contentious or emotionally charged situations, in such a seemingly transparent and direct manner, without entanglement.’