North Island and South Island set aside by the Government. Locally protected areas Many areas are protected and administered by local government: Regional parks are protected areas administered by regional councils and unitary authorities. Local parks are protected areas administered by territorial authorities and unitary authorities. Internationally protected areas There are ten areas in New Zealand protected by international law: There are seven wetlands protected as Ramsar sites under the Ramsar Convention and administered by the Department of Conservation, covering an area of about . Most other wetlands are not formally protected, but projects have been established to restore those that remain. There are three World Heritage Sites legally protected by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) due to their cultural, historical, scientific or other significance to humanity. There are Te Wahipounamu, Tongariro National Park and the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands. Other protected areas Other protected areas include: Many public and privately-owned wetlands See also Protected areas References External links Department of Conservation Protected areas databases at Landcare Research Lists of tourist attractions in New Zealand Protected New Zealand