Backing nature – budget a win for nature

This funding will ensure DOC is at the centre of New Zealand's conservation system, by investing in its capability and capacity across a range of functions.

Visitor management

Budget 2018 provides additional funding for visitor management to ensure New Zealand's unique landscapes and wildlife are protected.

The funding will allow DOC to better manage demand with the 1.3 million additional people projected to be visit conservation land by 2025.

The money will see improved planning for maintenance and development of visitor infrastructure and ensure that visitors are safe in the outdoors. It will also enable DOC to investigate new and innovative forms of service delivery including park and ride schemes and alternative approaches to waste management.

Regional planning capability will improve DOC's ability to coordinate planning and investment decisions with those of local and regional government and of businesses. It will also allow for DOC to engage with the broader tourism sector and influence others' plans, to ensure protection of conservation values.

Mackenzie Basin

There are many competing pressures and opportunities in the Mackenzie Basin, including the impact of land use change, a growing tourism sector and a local community seeking a clear social and economic future.

Additional resources will support DOC's work with key stakeholder groups to develop a strategy to better protect the unique landscapes and biodiversity values of the Mackenzie Basin.

Core organisational capability

Funding pressures since DOC's last restructure in 2013 have resulted in core organisational capacity and capability being stretched to their limit.

DOC is undergoing one of the largest transformation processes in the public sector. It requires investment to ensure it can continue to rebuild and deliver its core services to support improved biodiversity outcomes.

The funding will bolster human resources capacity. This will strengthen the quality of HR delivery and service across the organisation enabling issues to be dealt with proactively and managers to be upskilled in relationship and performance management.

The new money will also facilitate an ongoing cultural shift in DOC's business operating model, including the impact of Treaty settlements.

Policy

Budget 2018 will allow DOC to boost its policy function to allow more effective engagement on cross-government policy issues and improve its regulatory stewardship responsibilities.

DOC has limited policy capability, both in terms of the numbers of policy staff and in relation to the size and scope of its roles and functions.

This new money will increase DOC's ability to deliver core conservation policy, and contribute to policy development across government, such as freshwater, fisheries, climate change, tourism, natural capital and biosecurity policy.

Asset management

DOC is one of the few government agencies needing to provide housing to staff based in regionally-dispersed and remote locations, often far from urban centres and other accommodation.

Assets include offices and houses on islands, such as Great Barrier and Motutapu Islands, and remote inland locations such as Pureora.

Maintaining this accommodation is challenging due to the isolated locations, harsh weather, and limited procurement opportunities.

This funding will address a backlog in maintenance in staff housing, contributing to improving the health, safety and wellbeing of DOC staff.

Budget 2018 funding