West Coast Te Tai o Poutini Conservation Management Strategy review

Background

A CMS is a strategy for managing public conservation lands and waters within a region. It sets the direction for management of natural, cultural, historic and recreational values.

The new CMS applies to public conservation lands and waters on Te Tai Poutini West Coast. This extends from west of Kā Tiritiri o te Moana/ Southern Alps, from Kahurangi Point in the north to Te Hōkai (Awarua Point) in the south.

Map of public conservation lands and waters on Te Tai Poutini West Coast.

With 84% of Te Tai Poutini West Coast being public conservation lands and waters, the CMS plays a significant role in shaping the region's future.

Whether you live near, operate on, care about or visit the area, the new CMS will affect you as it will influence how these lands and waters are managed.

Before we begin drafting the CMS, we want to hear from everyone who uses, values and enjoys these public conservation areas. By sharing your thoughts and ideas, you can help shape how these places are managed over the next decade.

Why are we developing a new CMS?

The current CMS, while still active, needs a review.

Key drivers for a new CMS are:

1. CMSs are required to be reviewed every 10 years.
2. To respond to changes on Te Tai Poutini West Coast, including:
   1. the impacts of climate change, for example on species and infrastructure
   2. shifts in recreation and visitor flows
   3. changes in technology, such as e-bikes and drones.
3. To reflect the evolving partnership between DOC and Poutini Ngāi Tahu across the region and enable the interests and aspirations of Poutini Ngāi Tahu.
4. To set up a clear statutory framework. Currently, the CMS manages all public conservation lands and waters on Te Tai Poutini West Coast, including national parks. The new CMS will direct management of national parks to the relevant national park management plan.

Our outcomes

We intend to develop an adaptive and strategic CMS that:

• has the values, interests and aspirations of Poutini Ngāi Tahu and the West Coast community at its core
• meets legislative requirements
• advances conservation outcomes.

How to get involved

There are many ways you can get involved in the development of a new CMS for Te Tai Poutini West Coast.

Come to a community event

For those on Te Tai Poutini West Coast, you can come and talk to us at one of our community events.

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View community event dates

Kids drawing competition

We can’t let the grown-ups have all the fun. Children up to 11 years old can enter our drawing competition.

Draw your favourite outdoors place on Te Tai Poutini West Coast and tell us why it is so important to you.

Drawing competition entry form (PDF, 413K)

The competition will run from 16 October to 16 December. The winning pictures will be shared on our website and social media. Send your entry to WCTPCMS@doc.govt.nz to be in with a chance to win a mystery prize.

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Review timeline

A CMS review process is set out in the Conservation Act 1987.

There are five phases to a CMS review:

1. Project planning
2. Drafting the strategy
3. Public notification and hearings
4. Revision and approval
5. Implementing the strategy

We are now in phase 2. The public feedback we gather will be used to draft a new CMS. Once this is ready, we will publicly notify the draft and ask for your submissions.

We will keep you updated through this web page as the project progresses.

Learn more about our conservation management strategies.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact us at WCTPCMS@doc.govt.nz.