THE hills will be alive to the sound of wind turbines all the way from Ashhurst to Tokomaru if all proposed wind farms go ahead.

There are about 286 existing and approved wind turbines in the Te Apiti, Tararua and Te Rere Hau windfarms, and 129 are planned for the proposed Motorimu wind farm at the end of Scotts Road.

Added to that are 60 proposed turbines for the Turitea Reserve and more -- the number is not yet known -- to go on private land around the reserve.

This adds up to the possibility of more than 500 wind turbines covering the Tararuas.

Tararua-Aokautere Guardians president Sue Stewart said the hills cannot support this many wind farms without damage being done to the natural landscape

"Should Manawatu sacrifice all of its ridges and hilltops for the benefit of greater New Zealand? When does `enough' become too much?"

The Turitea Reserve is a local-purpose reserve, she said.

"Where is the local benefit to Manawatu community from the wind farm? The electricity is fed into the national grid to service the needs of the country as a whole."

Mrs Stewart said the Turitea wind farm is the first in the country to be planned for reserve land.

"Will our national parks be next?"