The South Island has been ranked as second on a list of tourism destinations to have best warded off the effects of modern-day life.
The survey, published in National Geographic's Traveler magazine, asked 200 tourism and environmental specialists to rank places according to their ability to withstand the pressuresof environmental problems, cultural erosion and mass tourism.
"Which places have thrived despite these perils, and which have not?" it asked.
The South Island scored 78 out of a possible 100, second equal with Cape Breton Island in Canada and Torres del Paine in Chile.
The top-scoring destination was the Norwegian fiords, which got 82.
The Bay of Islands, the only other place in New Zealand among the 115 places listed, scored 73.
Judges' comments about the South Island included praise for the Department of Conservation, saying it "takes these challenges seriously. Their management of resources should be examples for many others".
Another judge said the tourism use of the South Island was "a lesson for us all".
"Still a few issues with indigenous rights but strong on nature, tourism, environment, general community development."
The South Island's high ranking in the survey delighted Ian Challenger, a Kaikoura District Council environmental development officer, who was working on Kaikoura's participation in the Green Global 21 scheme.
"Kaikoura has been working quite hard to work towards a sustainable future with its participation in the Green Globe 21 programme and is not only measuring its environmental impact but taking steps to overcome that impact.
"So I do think this is deserved and is a recognition of the work of businesses and individuals towards sustainability," said Mr Challenger.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said the coverage in Traveler was valuable because the readers were a "close match to our target market" - people who cared about the environment and looked to make the most of a place's landscape and culture.
Top 12 destinations
World tourist attractions rated out of 100 by the 'Traveler' survey:
82: Norwegian fiords
78: South Island, NZ; Cape Breton Island, Canada; Rorres del Paine, Chile
77: Tasmania
76: Rocky Mountains, Canada
75: Scottish Highlands
74: Kruger National Park, South Africa; Kyoto historic district, Japan; Quebec City historic centre, Canada; Vermont, USA
