Emma Bean from Rainbow Springs Nature Park, the Minister, and Sian Portier from Taranaki Kiwi Trust
Photo: Pat Murphy

Welcome to the Conservation Boards' Newsletter

Issue 11 : December 2018

Kia ora anō

This has been a huge year for DOC and also a tough one. Your support and aroha for the Department is deeply appreciated, after the tragic loss of staff members Paul Hondelink and Scott Theobald and pilot Nick Wallis in the helicopter crash in October.

Thank you and all the wider members of the DOC whanau for your invaluable work in protecting our precious plants, birds, marine life, insects and natural landscapes - whether it is helping draft a park management plan, working with local conservation groups to control predators, or encouraging an appreciation of indigenous nature.

It’s been a busy year at Parliament. I was pleased to launch the start of the review of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy and I hope Board members will be active in local discussions.

The Conservation (Infringement System) Bill is expected to have its final reading shortly. It will allow DOC rangers to better enforce eight conservation laws by using infringement notices as an option, instead of just a warning or initiating a prosecution.

In September I introduced the Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Bill. It’s designed to improve the toolbox for managing indigenous freshwater fish like the koaro, giant kokopu and inanga.  Our native fish are in trouble with 74% of species threatened or at risk of extinction. We need better legislation to deal with threats such as loss of fish passage and damage to their spawning sites.

The Bill has caused some debate and some incorrect claims have been made. To be clear the Bill does not allow the sale of trout, it does not allow trout farming, it does not give DOC greater powers to remove sports fish from waterbodies, change the relative hierarchy of fisheries and conservation plans, or create new Treaty settlement arrangements, nor does it transfer any fisheries revenue from Fish and Game to DOC, or remove any currently implemented consultation requirements

Fish passage barriers, noxious fish, movement of fish between waterbodies, and loss of spawning sites can be as much a problem for sports fish as for whitebait, and the changes to improve management of those threats will benefit those fish as well.

I am confident that Parliament’s Environment Select Committee will make any changes needed in response to public submissions.

Read more here.

Whitebait

DOC is looking at how to improve whitebait management and has held a series of workshops around the country.

Whitebait face a range of threats and pressures, including habitat degradation, poor water quality, and impeded fish passage within river systems and fishing. As a result, four of the six species of freshwater fish that are legally classified as whitebait are threatened.

A Whitebait Working Group has been formed involving people with expertise in fisheries and species management, ecology, habitat restoration, commercial and recreational fishing, and mātauranga Māori.

I look forward to considering the issues and options which DOC develops as a result of public feedback to help secure whitebait’s future and ensure a healthy whitebait fishery.

For more information click here

Conservation boards

Nominations are now open for conservation boards. Please let people know who are passionate and/or knowledgeable about conservation. It’d be great to have people like yourselves who have expertise in nature conservation, natural earth and marine sciences, cultural heritage, recreation, or tourism, and/or a Māori perspective.

There are 42 public vacancies over the 15 boards. Nominations close 28 January 2019 at 5 pm. The next term commences 1 July 2019.

Meri Kirihimete koutou

Hon. Eugenie Sage
Minister of Conservation

Conservation board nominations are open

Updates from the conservation boards

Consultations open for your comment

Application for lease of DOC House 3 by Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Lodge Ltd
Have your say on an application from Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Lodge Ltd for a lease within Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Submissions close on 24 December 2018.

Improving whitebait management
We want everyone’s opinion on whitebait. We’re collecting views from all over the country from now until 7 January 2019.​

Application for a lease by Aoraki/Mt Cook Guiding Company Limited
Have your say on application by Glen Mary Ski Club for a lease on existing accommodation huts. Submissions close on 22 January 2019.​

Predator Free 2050 discussion guide
How will we achieve a predator free New Zealand? Give us your ideas and thoughts on what should be in the Predator Free 2050 strategic plan. Opportunities for feedback close 30 January 2019.

Your views on the next New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy
Have your say on how New Zealand conserves its indigenous biodiversity and how we'll contribute to safeguarding biodiversity globally. 
Submissions close 1 February 2019.

Draft Westland Tai Poutini National Park Management Plan
Have your say on the draft National Park Management Plan for Westland Tai Poutini National Park. The date for the close of submissions has been extended.
Submissions now close 4 February 2019.​

Draft Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Management Plan
Have your say on the draft National Park Management Plan for Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The date for the close of submissions has been extended.
Submissions now close 4 February 2019.​

Proposal to dispose conservation land
Have your say on proposal to dispose of conservation land in the Western South Island. Submissions close 12 February 2018.

Allocation process for grazing on Motutapu Island
Have your say on an allocation process for a grazing concession on Motutapu island. Contact DOC to make your interest known.​

Keep up to date with public consultations here.