Advice to Ministers and the Director-General of Conservation

Introduction

The NZCA provides independent advice to the Minister and Director-General of Conservation on matters it considers of national conservation importance. The NZCA has released advice on specific topics in the public's interest.

    Advice on Conservation Boards’ annual reports 2022-2023

    17 June 2024: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on the Conservation Boards’ annual reports 2022-2023

    Letter to MOC - Follow up from 20 June 2024 NZCA meeting

    5 July 2024: Read the NZCA letter to the Minister of Conservation; Follow up from 20 June NZCA meeting

    Advice on biological control agents in Mount Aspiring National Park

    27 June 2024: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on the proposed introduction of biological control agents into Mount Aspiring National Park to protect biodiversity values.

    Advice regarding the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy

    10 June 2024: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation regarding the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy

    Advice on Myrtle Rust

    17 May 2024: Read the NZCA's advice on Myrtle Rust to the Minister of Conservation.

    Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Conservation

    18 December 2023: Read the NZCA's Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Conservation

    Advice on the Functioning of Conservation Boards

    9 October 2023: Read the NZCA's summary and recommendations on the Functioning of Conservation Boards to the Director-General.

    Advice on Conservation Boards’ annual reports 2021-2022

    26 July 2023: Read the NZCA's advice on the Minister of Conservation on Conservation Board annual reports for the 2021-2023 financial year.

    Advice on Conservation Management Strategies and Conservation Management Plans

    13 July 2023: Read the NZCA's letter to the Director-General of Conservation regarding the state of conservation management planning and the significant overdue reviews.

    Advice on the Department's Community Fund and Community Agreements

    28 April 2023: Read the NZCA's advice on concerns around cuts to the Department's Community Fund and Community Agreements.

    Advice on proposed biological control agents into Kaniwhaniwha Stream Recreation Reserve, to protect biodiversity values

    28 April 2023: Read NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on the proposed introduction of biological control agents into Kaniwhaniwha Stream Recreation Reserve, to protect biodiversity values.

    Advice on the Decline of the Lower Rakaia River and Hapua

    28 April 2023: Read the NZCA's advice to the Director-General of Conservation on addressing the decline of the Lower Rakaia River and Hapua.

    Advice on budget priorities for Financial Year 2023-24

    16 January 2023: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister and Director-General of Conservation on the Department's budget priorities for financial year 2023-24.

    Advice on Bottom Trawling in New Zealand's marine environment

    14 November 2022: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on bottom trawling in New Zealand's marine environments.

    Advice on the natural quiet within the Civil Aviation Bill

    11 November 2022: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on the opportunity to advocate for natural quite within the Civil Aviation Bill.

    Advice on Statutory Planning and Budgetary Considerations

    17 October 2022: Read the NZCA's advice to the Director-General of Conservation on statutory planning and budgetary considerations for the Department.

    Advice on Seabird Bycatch

    17 October 2023: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation of seabird bycatch.

    Advice on Delays in the partial review of the General Policies

    28 September 2022: Read the NZCa's advice to the Director-General on the significant delay in the partial review of the General Policies.

    Advice on the Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill

    28 September 2022: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation in support of the proposed Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill.

    Advice on the Stewardship Land Reclassification process

    23 September 2022: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation regarding the reclassification process of stewardship land across New Zealand

    Advice on the Approval of the Otago CMS Partial Review

    28 June 2022: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on their approval of the Otago Conservation Management Strategy partial review.

    Advice on the RMS Niagara Shipwreck

    16 May 2022: Read the NZCA's advice to the Director-General regarding concerns of a potential oil spill from the RMS Niagara shipwreck and the impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem function loss.

    Advice on the Stewardship Land Discussion Document

    30 March 2022: Read the NZCA's to the Minister of Conservation regarding the discussion document relating to the reclassification of stewardship land in Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Advice on GODZone adventures races in National Parks

    25 March 2022. Read the NZCA's advice to the Director-General on the GODZone adventure race occurring in Mt Aspiring National Park, contrary to its National Park Management Plan.

    Advice on the Compliance and Enforcement Strategy

    8 March 2022: Read the NZCA's advice to the Director-General on ensuring that the Department is properly resourced in its efforts to reduce non-compliance.

    Advice on Control Plans for Deer, Goats and Pigs

    2 December 2021: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on the importance of having a comprehensive control plan for deer, goats and pigs to prevent unnecessary biodiversity decline on public conservation land.

    Advice on Marine Conservation

    17 November 2021: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on Marine Conservation and the need for a national approach to the biodiversity health of our oceans.

    Advice on Toxoplasmosis Hector and Maui Dolphins

    12 November 2021 : Read the NZCA's advice to the Minster of Conservation and Minister for Oceans and Fisheries on the affects of Toxoplasmosis on Hector and Maui Dolphins.

    Advice on MOP Masterplan

    15 October 2021: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation regarding the Milford Opportunities Project Masterplan.

    Advice on DOC's Visitor Centre Strategy

    23 August 2021: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister and Director General of Conservation regarding the Department's Visitor Centre Strategy 2020-25.

    Advice on climate change considerations for concessionaires

    19 July 2021: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister and Director General of Conservation regarding the need to consider climate change in both new and existing concession considerations.

    Advice on DOC's Heritage and Visitor Strategy

    11 June 2021: Read the NZCA's feedback and advice to Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall, Acting Minister of Conservation, on the Department of Conservation’s Heritage and Visitor Strategy.

    Advice on future-focused sustainable tourism

    5 May 2021: Read the NZCA's advice to Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall, Acting Minister of Conservation, on the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s Report: Not 100% - but four steps closer to sustainable tourism

    Advice on science funding , environmental research, and data provision

    22 April 2021: Read the NZCA's advice to the Acting Minister, Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall, on the state of environmental research, data systems, and environmental reporting in Aotearoa.

    Advice on Te Mana o te Taiao resourcing

    25 March 2021: Read the NZCA's advice to the Director-General of Conservation in relation to resourcing Te Mana o te Taiao / Aotearoa NZ Biodiversity Strategy 2020 implementation.

    NZCA's submissions in 2020 - a summary

    29 January 2021: the NZCA provided the Minister of Conservation with a summary of submissions made in 2020, providing advice to the new Minister on a number of conservation issues faced throughout the previous year.

    NZCA's advice on Environmental Science Research

    27 January 2021: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on the need for sustainable and reliable environmental research, data, and monitoring.

    NZCA's advice on Te Mana o te Taiao Implementation Plan

    14 January 2021: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation in relation to the implementation plan for Te Mana o te Taiao / Aotearoa NZ Biodiversity Strategy 2020.

    NZCA's advice on seabird conservation

    17 September 2020: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation in relation to seabird conservation in an international context.

    NZCA's advice on a National Ocean Strategy

    16 July 2020: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation in relation to a National Ocean Strategy for New Zealand.

    NZCA's advice on tahr management in National Parks

    1 July 2020: Read the NZCA's further advice to the Minister of Conservation in relation to tahr management in Aoraki Mt Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks.

    NZCA's advice on responses to COVID-19

    6 May 2020: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on New Zealand's response to COVID-19.

    NZCA's advice on Predator Free priority areas

    6 May 2020:Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on the priority areas to focus Predator Free efforts.

    NZ Conservation Authority write to the Prime Minister - Aotearoa, a country that holds nature and its people at its heart

    1 May 2020: The New Zealand Conservation Authority has written an open letter to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, calling for an investment in nature and nature-based jobs.

    NZCA's advice on the use of a Management Planning template

    10 March 2020:Read the NZCA's feedback to the Minister of Conservation on the proposed use of a Management Planning template as a new approach to statutory management planning processes.

    NZCA's advice on Department resourcing

    10 March 2020:Read the NZCA's advice to Lou Sanson, Director General of Conservation on the resourcing of the Department's Kahui Kaupapa Atawhai work programme, and Tier 1 monitoring programme

    NZCA's view of the Haast River Valley Grazing Permit

    5 March 2020: Read the NZCA's view on Kay Booth's decision to grant a Grazing Permit in the Haast River Valley.

    NZCA's advice on the PCE report:Focusing Aotearoa New Zealand’s environmental reporting system

    8 January 2020: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environments’ report 'Focusing Aotearoa New Zealand’s environmental reporting system'

    NZCA's advice on Genome Sequencing

    8 January 2020: Read the NZCA's advice to Ministers on the issue of maintaining provenance in the international system of Genome Sequencing.

    NZCA's advice on the One Billion Trees Programme

    7 January 2020: Read the NZCA's advice to Ministers and Te Uru Rākau / Forestry New Zealand on the planting of native trees as part of the One Billion Trees Programme.

    NZCA's comment on the PCE report: Focussing Aotearoa New Zealand’s environmental reporting system

    7 January 2020:Read the NZCA's comment on the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report: Focussing Aotearoa New Zealand’s environmental reporting system

    NZCA's advice on Community Support, Whitebait, and QEII National Trust

    24 October 2019: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on providing support to community groups, the issue of whitebait, and funding to the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust

    NZCA's advice on the Fox River landfill clean-up

    1 July 2019: Read the NZCA's advice to the Ministers for the Environment on the Fox River landfill clean-up

    NZCA's further advice on tahr management

    2 April 2019: Read the NZCA's further advice to the Minister of Conservation on tahr management

    NZCA's advice on protecting and enhancing indigenous biodiversity

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on protecting and enhancing indigenous biodiversity

    NZCA's further advice on seabird by-catch

    Read the NZCA's further advice to the Minister of Conservation on seabird by-catch

    NZCA's advice on visitor behaviour towards New Zealand wildlife

    Read the NZCA's advice the the Director-General on visitor behaviour towards New Zealand wildlife.

    NZCA's approval of the Wellington Conservation Management Strategy

    Read the NZCA's letter to the Director-General and Chair of the Wellington Conservation Board approving the Wellington Conservation Management Strategy

    NZCA's advice on seabird by-catch

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on seabird by-catch

    NZCA's advice on Riversdale Flats and Mt White Station

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on Riversdale Flats and Mt White Station

    NZCA's advice on tahr management

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on tahr management in New Zealand.

    NZCA's advice on biodiversity management

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on biodiversity management in New Zealand.

    Potential whitebait fishery regulation changes

    Read the NIWA commissioned report on potential options for regulation changes to the NZ whitebait fishery.

    NZCA's advice on the Department of Conservation’s Marine Protected Areas Policy and Implementation Plan 2005

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on the Department's Marine Protected Areas Policy and Implementation Plan 2005.

    NZCA's advice on the future for whitebait

    Read the NZCA's advice for the Minister on the future for whitebait.

    NZCA's advice on the Tongariro National Park Management Plan partial review

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on the amendments proposed from the partial review of the Tongariro National Park Management Plan.

    NZCA's advice on the additions to Fiordland National Park

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on the additions of land blocks O'Brien, King and Wang (Johnstone)/Morgan to Fiordland National Park.

    NZCA's advice on the addition of the Mokihinui Riverbed to Kahurangi National Park

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on the addition of the Mokihinui Riverbed to Kahurangi National Park.

    Fiordland National Park – adjustment of Murchison Mountains Specially Protected Area boundary

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on the proposed adjustment of the Murchison Mountains Specially Protected Area boundary within Fiordland National Park.

    NZCA's advice on stewardship land and assessing net conservation benefit

    Read the NZCA's advice on stewardship land and assessing net conservation benefit.

    NZCA's preliminary view on Federated Mountain Clubs proposal for a Remarkables National Park

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on the Federated Mountain Clubs proposal for a Remarkables National Park

    NZCA's advice to the Minister on Paparoa National Parks proposed addition of Yorke Creek

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on Paparoa National Parks proposed addition of Yorke Creek

    NZCA's proposal to the Minister for a border levy

    Read the NZCA's proposal to the Minister for a border levy.

    NZCA's advice to the Minister on the future of whitebait

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on the future of whitebait.

    NZCA's advice on the Kahurangi National Park proposed addition of the Mōkihinui River Catchment

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on the proposed addition of the Mōkihinui river catchment to Kahurangi National Park.

    NZCA recommendations on the proposal for addition of land to Paparoa National Park June 2015

    Read the NZCA's June 2015 recommendations to the Acting Minister of Conservation (Pike River) on the proposal for addition of land to Paparoa National Park.

    NZCA advice on the Kauri National Park proposal March 2014

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on the Kauri National Park proposal March 2014 and the steps that were undertaken to reach its decision.

    NZCA advice on Riverstone Holdings Ltd 'Fiordland Link monorail' application January 2014

    Read the NZCA's advice on Riverstone Holdings Ltd 'Fiordland Link monorail' application January 2014.

    NZCA advice on Milford Dart Ltd "Dart Passage Tunnel" concession application June 2013

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on the Milford Dart Ltd "Dart Passage Tunnel" concession application.

    NZCA advice on DOC restructuring April 2013

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Director-General about the DOC restructuring April 2013.

    NZCA advice on DOC restructuring and conservation boards April 2013

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on the DOC restructuring and conservation boards April 2013.

    NZCA statutory management planning advice April 2013

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister on statutory management planning advice.

    NZCA recreation and tourism advice March 2013

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Director-General on recreation and tourism.

    NZCA aerial trophy hunting (heli-hunting) advice October 2011

    The NZCA advises that long-term heli-hunting concessions should not be issued until the regional conservation management strategies have been reviewed and effects of heli-hunting are better understood.

    NZCA priorities for expenditure 2012-2015 Statement of Intent

    The NZCA advises the Minister and the Director-General annually on priorities for the expenditure of money. Read the NZCA's advice for the 2012/2013 financial year and 2012-2015 Statement of Intent.

    NZCA advice on a combined process for resource consents and DOC concessions for nationally significant proposals

    Read the NZCA's advice to the Director-General of Conservation on a proposed combined process when considering concessions and resource consents for major projects.

    NZCA aerial trophy hunting (heli-hunting) advice January 2011

    The NZCA advises that heli-hunting decisions should be guided by statutory planning documents, such as general policy, national park management plans, and conservation management strategies and wild animal control plans.

    NZCA advice on proposed game animal council August 2010

    The NZCA does not support the recommendations of the Game Animal Establishment Committee, in which game animal council members are accountable only to hunters.

    NZCA advice on mining June 2010

    Read the NZCA's June 2010 advice on Maximising our Mineral Potential: Stocktake of Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act and beyond.

    NZCA advice on mining April 2010

    Read the NZCA's April 2010 advice on Maximising our Mineral Potential: Stocktake of Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act and beyond.

    NZCA advice on proposed game animal council December 2009

    The NZCA is concerned about the game animal council proposal, particularly about the effects of the proposal on indigenous biodiversity, process, about matters of governance, and public interest. The NZCA suggests some other options to consider.

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