Welcome to the Conservation Boards' Newsletter

Te Hiku o Te Ika

The Te Hiku o Te Ika Board’s major focus for 2017 has been progressing the development of a new Te Hiku Conservation Management Strategy, relating to public conservation land within the combined areas of interest of Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa, NgaiTakoto and Ngāti Kuri. 

Auckland

Working alongside the Department and Ngāti Manuhiri, the Auckland Board recently achieved a milestone in approving the Te Hauturu-o-Toi Nature Reserve Management Plan. The Board also visited Great Barrier Island in April to meet with the Aotea Conservation Park Advisory Committee.

Waikato

The Waikato Board went on field trip in November to to inspect Port Waikato and the whitebait habitat along Waikato river.  A number of whitebait species have threatened conservation status and the board is taking a keen interest in its management.  

Bay of Plenty

The focus of the past few months has been on completion of the Whirinaki Te Pua a Tane Conservation Management Plan, working in partnership with Ngati Whare.  Also, early discussion has begun on the review of the Bay of Plenty Conservation Management Strategy.

Tongariro/Taupo

The Tongariro/Taupo Board has maintained an active interest in the management of increasing visitor numbers to Tongariro National Park and preparations for the summer season on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.  In October, they also presented the Tongariro National Park Management Plan partial review to the New Zealand Conservation Authority in Rotorua.

East Coast Hawke's Bay

The drafting process is well underway for the East Coast Hawke's Bay Conservation Management Strategy.  The East Coast Hawke's Bay Board also continues to support DOC with its partnership work across their region, as well as liaisons with Fish and Game Council, Forest and bird, and both regional councils.

Wellington

The Wellington Board has been busy in 2017 revising the Wellington Conservation Management Strategy and preparing for its implementation.  At the November meeting at Tini Waitara marae, Turakina, the board were hosted by Ngāti Apa and learnt the history of the local hapū.

Chatham Islands

The Chatham Islands Conservation Board presented the Annual Conservation Award in June and delivered their Annual Report to the Minister in November.  They also welcomed the new Board Chair, Amanda Seymour, to the role.

Nelson Marlborough

The Board traveled through Molesworth to meet with the Canterbury Aoraki Board at Hanmer Springs in April.  And in August, the Acting Chair, Gina Solomon, traveled to Wellington to attend the NZ Biosecurity Awards and celebrate the success of the Great White Butterfly Eradication Project.

West Coast Tai Poutini

The focus this year for the West Coast Tai Poutini Board has been the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Management Plan Review.  The committee for the park review have met 3 times this year and have been working closely with the planning team on topic papers and getting a draft together.

Canterbury Aoraki

The Canterbury Aoraki Board went on a field trip to Arthur’s Pass National Park in August where they were guided and briefed by DOC staff throughout the day.  They also held their August Board meeting there and welcomed members of the public who attended.

Otago

The Otago Board has had a very busy schedule during the 2017 year. Main objectives were to raise the profile of threatened galaxiids, consider the impacts resulting from the huge increase in visitors to Mt Aspiring National Park, and support the control of wilding conifers.

Southland

The past year for the Southland Board has been very full with preparation for the Fiordland National Park Management Plan Review, due to start in 2018.  Field trips throughout the year, to Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound, helped to inform and educate the board.