Reserves and Domains

[Mamee & Co]

Please will someone explain if there is a difference between these? We have seen signs with this in the name for what we would view as a Park, but sometimes it has reserve as a name and other times Domain.

[Kea]

I don't know if this is the definition, but I've noticed that Domains are cultivated parks where as Reserves seem to be a bit 'wilder'.

[ralf-nz]

It seems that reserves are nowadays officially defined whereas domains aren't.

See http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/p...DLM444310.html where you'll get in
clause 2(1) for "Reserve or public reserve", except as hereinafter provided in this definition, means any land set apart for any public purpose; and includes—
(a) Any land which immediately before the commencement of this Act was a public reserve within the meaning of the Reserves and Domains Act 1953:
(b) - (m) follow

Here http://www.lgnz.co.nz/library/files/...1/chapter1.pdf is "An Introduction to the Reserves Acts 1977 and Its Origins".

[72andsunny]

My wife's observations on the subject (in the Hawke's Bay area):

http://nicosnotions.blogspot.com/201...n-1-parks.html

A large wild park (think a national park in the U.S.) is called a Reserve. It may only be a square kilometer or two, but it's basically wildland, with lots of trails for tramping.

A large city park (say Golden Gate Park) is a Domain. They appear to have all the amenities of any large urban park - playgrounds, sport areas, formal gardens, etc. I haven't found a Domain in Hawkes Bay just yet.

There are many plain old parks... you can hardly walk for ten minutes in any direction without running into one. I'm not talking about a big slightly-browned lawn with playground equipment and hoodlums, a la SoCal. I'm talking about expanses of grass surrounded by beautifully maicured flower gardens.

[mylesdw]

I think ralf-nz above is right; they are one and the same thing in NZ. The term domain seems to be historic and reserve seems to be the official word. I am on the committee for the Amberley Recreation Reserve. It is a large area of mown grass mostly playing fields but also where the local A&P show is held and a few other events such as show-jumping. It is called a reserve on all the council's paperwork but all the locals know it as 'the domain'. It is just a bit of council owned land and just about every village has one.