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Chatham Island Mollymawk - Chatham Islands Photo: Tui De Roy
Welcome to the Conservation Boards' Newsletter
June 2017
Kia ora
Great to see articles from a range of different regions, thank you and congratulations on the important work you are doing. It’s very impressive reading about what you have done and achieved - all this and more is being addressed by Conservation Boards nationwide.
The annual Conservation Boards appointments have been completed with a high calibre and quantity of applicants received. The majority of new members will start their tenure on 1 July 2017.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Darren Edwards (Northland) and Ann Lockhart (Otago) resigning and retiring respectively for their important contribution to Conservation.
I understand the commitment and effort required by all members to be part of the Conservation Boards system and realise in our busy lives this can be very demanding, so thank you for the continued diligence.
I look forward to receiving the Conservation Board annual reports later in the year so we can focus on future challenges and celebrate great conservation outcomes across the country.
Best regards
Nicky
Hon Nicky Wagner
Associate Minister of Conservation
Updates from the conservation boards
Northland
Northland's Dune Lakes – Hidden Gems. The Northland Conservation Board visited the Pouto dune lakes which are one of the rarest and most threatened aquatic habitats in the world. Northland has about 400 dune lakes, found within old sand dune systems mostly on the west coast.
Te Hiku o Te Ika
The Board is continuing to mature from ‘new board on the block’ status by reaching out to the other Conservation Boards and progressing the development of the new Te Hiku part of the Northland CMS.
Waikato
Protecting the Whitebait fishery for future generations continues to be a major priority of the Waikato Board. In February, the Board attended a field trip and workshop at Pukorokoro-Miranda Shorebird Centre focused on marine conservation in the Hauraki Gulf.
Tongariro Taupō
As visitor numbers rise, it was timely that the Board considered several applications for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and provided feedback to the Department’s Tongariro National Park Management Plan provisions.
Chatham Islands
In February, the Board attended the East Coast Hawkes Bay Conservation Board meeting in Gisborne which provided an excellent opportunity to engage with another Board, and gain a deeper understanding of the issues mainland Boards are facing.
West Coast Tai Poutini
The West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board celebrated the Launch of the Paparoa National Park Plan in Barrytown on 10 March 2017. This was a fantastic event with some inspiring speeches. Another highlight was the Board's visit to the newly restored Blacks Locie tractor near Ōkārito.
Otago
The Board has been busy during the last six months attending a field trip to Skippers Historic Village; receiving an update on the Otago SE Marine Protection Forum process; and, attending the Celebrating Conservation Evening where the Department was recognised for supporting local groups working to create predator free communities in Inland Otago.
Consultations open for your comment
Intention to grant concession to Airways Corporation of New Zealand Limited
Have your say on the Minister's intention to grant a concession to Airways Corporation of New Zealand Limited. Submissions close 10 July 2017.
Application to film marine mammals by Kowhai Media Limited (New Zealand Geographic)
Have your say on a permit application from Kowhai Media Limited (New Zealand Geographic) to film marine mammals off the Poor Knights Islands. Submissions close 12 July 2017.
Intention to grant a concession to Gisborne LandSAR
Comment on the intention to grant a concession to occupy Matawai Hut for accommodation during outdoor training and education activities. Submissions close 17 July 2017.
Intention to grant concession to Maruia Hot Springs Property Ltd
Have your say on the intention to grant a concession to Maruia Hot Springs Property Ltd to create and maintain a campervan park at Maruia Springs. Submissions close 19 July 2017.
Intention to grant guiding concession to Te Ha O Tongariro Charitable Trust
Have your say on the Minister of Conservation's intention to grant a concession to Te Ha O Tongariro Charitable Trust to carry out guided walks on Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Submissions close 25 July 2017.
Draft Threatened Species Strategy consultation
Have your say on the draft Threatened Species Strategy. The draft Threatened Species Strategy sets out the New Zealand government’s plan to halt the decline in our threatened species and restore them to healthy populations. Submissions close 31 July 2017.
Intention to grant a concession to Milford Sound Tourism Limited
Have your say on the Minister of Conservation's intention to grant a concession to Milford Sound Tourism Ltd for a storage facility and vehicle manoeuvring area in the Milford Sound area. Submissions close 11 August 2017.
New assessment of the threatened status of New Zealand freshwater fish
DOC seeks submissions about any changes in status of New Zealand freshwater fish. Submissions close 31 August 2017.
New assessment of the threatened status of New Zealand marine mammals
DOC seeks submissions about any changes in status of New Zealand marine mammals. Submissions close 30 September 2017.
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Email rmcgovern@doc.govt.nz
