Background, context and scope of the Conservation Board Manual.

About the conservation system, and roles of the Minister of Conservation, Department of Conservation, the New Zealand Conservation Authority, Conservation Boards and other statutory/advisory bodies.

The key relationships that Conservation Boards have with others.

General information about how conservation work is planned and carried out, using statutory tools under the Conservation Act and other applicable legislation.

Conservation Boards have a range of statutory functions, powers and duties under the Conservation Act, a range of other conservation legislation and, depending where the Board is located, Treaty settlement legislation may apply.

Information about the framework that guides Conservation Board planning and reporting. The three key components of the accountability framework are planning, monitoring and reporting.

Roles and responsibilities of the Board, including Board members' collective attributes and responsibilities, the role of Board Chair and Board committees.

Board meeting formalities, procedures and duties under the Conservation Act 1987 and the Local Government and Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) .

Guidance for Boards on identifying, declaring and managing conflicts of interest.

Guidance for Boards on dealing with confidential information, in accordance with Local Government Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) and the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).

Other Board matters, including field trips, member meeting fees and expense claims, expenditure policies and use of MS Teams for Board communication.

Board appointments under the Conservation Act and Treaty settlement legislation. How the Conservation Act provides for the removal and replacement of members. Guidance for Boards on co-opting members and electing the Board Chair.

Board self evaluations are not a statutory requirement but can help a Board to assess its performance, effectiveness and fitness for future challenges.

Other topics and guidance of use and relevance to Conservation Boards.