NZCA's advice on Department resourcing

To: Lou Sanson, Director General of Conservation
Date: 10 March 2020

At the Authority’s February 2020 meeting, a number of the Department’s work programmes were discussed. From these discussions, the Authority felt that two items required further addressing in terms of their resourcing.

Kahui Kaupapa Atawhai Work Programme

Michelle Hippolite presented to the Authority on the work she has been doing to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. Her work is fundamental to the Department’s understanding of Section 4 and what is means to give effect to the Treaty. The Authority view this programme as a necessary permanent fixture within the Department, and stresses that funding should be allocated to allow for ongoing implementation of Michelle’s methods.

Tier 1 Monitoring Programme

Elaine Wright and Sharon Alderson presented on the Department’s Tier 1 Monitoring Programme. Elaine expressed the need for evidence to drive and support the Department’s business and policy decisions. It became apparent that the Department’s monitoring programme offers invaluable data on the national level. The ability to gather consistent data over time is integral to show rates of change for an agreed set of biodiversity features. Sustained investment is critical to gathering these consistent and long-term data sets.

These two programmes are of high priority to the Authority. They share the challenge of requiring sustained and uninterrupted funding in their operation and success. I write to you today, on behalf of the Authority, to advocate for these programmes and urge the Department to think in terms of permanence in regarding their funding allocations.

No reira
E noho ora mai

Edward Ellison ONZM
Chairperson NZCA