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Southland Conservation Board members and DOC staff on Ngāpunatoru Glacier.
Photo: Donna Shepard | DOC
Welcome to the Conservation Boards' Newsletter
Issue 12 : March 2019
Kia ora anō
Largest addition to a national park in NZ's history
Earlier in March I was proud to announce that the Government is adding more than 64,400 ha of land in the Mokihinui River catchment to Kahurangi National Park.
This is the largest addition to an existing national park in New Zealand’s history. It’s an area bigger than the combined size of two other national parks - Paparoa and Abel Tasman.
The Mokihinui addition extends from high mountains of the Matiri Range almost to the sea and includes 15 kms of riverbed. It is an area of natural riches that we want to protect for present and future generations.
Twelve years ago, many New Zealanders came together to protect the Mokihinui River, north of Westport, from a hydro dam. The dam would have flooded its dramatic gorge and its beech and rimu forests, and the homes of threatened species from whio or blue duck to giant land snails.
The dam was controversial because of its environmental impacts. DOC's effective advocacy for nature under the RMA alongside a strong public campaign saw the hydro scheme dam proposal dropped in 2012, and a groundswell of support for the Mokihinui and its catchment to be better protected.
Now it will be. I thank members of the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board and the New Zealand Conservation Authority for their work in helping make that happen. The support of Ngāti Waewae and Ngāi Tahu has also been essential.
In the coming year, DOC will work with the Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Tai Poutini conservation boards and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Waewae, and other manawhenua iwi partners to begin the review of the 2001 Kahurangi National Park Management Plan.
The review will consider how the Mokihinui addition's natural landscapes, cultural and historic values, and recreational uses are best cared for into the future.
We are lucky here in Aotearoa to have wild nature. A national park is a taonga and national treasure for its own sake, and for us all to care for and enjoy. Thank you for helping achieve such a magnificent addition to our second largest national park.
Ngā mihi,
Hon. Eugenie Sage
Minister of Conservation
Conservation board nominations are now closed
Nominations for the 2019 conservation board appointment round closed on 11 February. The Minister is currently reviewing all those received and nominees will be notified of the outcome by the end of May 2019.
Updates from the conservation boards
Northland
The Board visited a fairy tern nesting site in Waipu in November 2018, learning more about this endangered species and the challenges they face. They also engaged with the Auckland Conservation Board and the public on the proposed Waipu Cycleway.
Auckland
The Board recently met on Aotea/Great Barrier Island, and held a joint workshop with the Aotea Conservation Park Advisory Committee. In November 2018 the Board attended a hearing to submit against an application to dump marina dredgings in the EEZ and was disappointed that the application has been approved.
Bay of Plenty
The Board’s work has been primarily focused on the preparation of the draft Bay of Plenty Conservation Management Strategy and moving towards notification later this year. Ensuring meaningful iwi/whanau/hapū engagement has been part of the oversight of the Board during this period of time.
East Coast/Hawke's Bay
The Board has been impressed with successful local examples of DOC-funded private conservation projects while still continuing to focus on their Conservation Management Strategy. The Board also continues to support DOC with its partnership work across our region.
Wellington
The Board is delighted that the Wellington Conservation Management Strategy was approved by the New Zealand Conservation Authority late 2018, and is now operational as of 20 January 2019.
Nelson Marlborough
The Board held meetings in Kaikoura, St Arnaud and Nelson. It has been a very busy six months with public interest in the mineral belt, wilding pines and marine protection. Our strategic plan helped prioritise and guide our input.
Canterbury Aoraki
The Board shares some updates from their recent activities over the past three months, with meetings in both Christchurch and Mahaanui.
Southland
It was a busy end to 2018 and an even busier start to 2019. The Board has pre-empted the start of the Fiordland National Park Management Plan review, having completed a lot of preparation work.
Consultations open for your comment
Application for a lease by Kawau Island Catering Limited
Have your say on an application by Kawau Island Catering Limited for a lease at Mansion House Valley Grounds, Kawau Island Historic Reserve.
Submissions close 11 April 2019.Application for a lease by Aoraki/Mount Cook Alpine Village Limited
Have your say on an application for a lease by Aoraki/Mount Cook Alpine Village Limited. Submission close 12 April 2019.Application for a concession variation by Ohau Snow Holdings Limited
Have your say on the Minister of Conservation's intention to vary a concession from Ohau Snow Holdings Limited at Ohau Ski Field, Ruataniwha Conservation Area. Submissions close 12 April 2019.Alpine Guides Fox Glacier Limited
Have your say on an application by Alpine Guides Fox Glacier Limited for glacier guiding in the Fox Glacier Te Moeka o Tuawe Valley.
Submissions close Friday 12 April 2019.Aoraki/Mount Cook Alpine Village Limited
Have your say on an application by Aoraki/Mount Cook Alpine Village Limited for the lease of a site. Submissions close 12 April 2019.Application by Thames Coromandel District Council
Have your say on an application by Thames Coromandel District Council to construct a building and two tanks on part of the Coromandel Forest Park.
Submissions close 23 April 2019.West Coast Te Tai o Poutini Conservation Management Strategy amendments
Have your say on the draft West Coast Te Tai o Poutini Conservation Management Strategy 2010 amendments. Submissions close Monday 20 May 2019.Concession opportunity for the subantarctic islands
Express your interest to be a concessionaire at the subantarctic islands.Improving whitebait management
Find out about the work DOC is doing to improve the management of whitebait.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.Concession opportunity – tendering Taupo Nursery
Express your interest to be a concessionaire at Taupo Nursery.Concession opportunity – tendering Morere Springs
Express your interest to be a concessionaire at Morere Springs.
Keep up to date with public consultations here.
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Email rmcgovern@doc.govt.nz
National Office | PO Box 10420 | Wellington 6143 | New Zealand
