Date:  10 December 2024

The Department of Conservation (DOC), Poutini Ngāi Tahu and the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board are inviting the public to take part in the survey. The survey is the first step in informing how public conservation lands and waters on Te Tai Poutini West Coast should be managed for the next decade and beyond.

While 493 survey responses have been received so far, less than half (48%) are from West Coasters, leaving a key opportunity for locals to have their voices heard.

Rob Wilson, (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe – Ngāti Māhaki) South Westland dairy farmer and Conservation Board member says 84 percent of Te Tai Poutini is public conservation land, so the CMS will play a significant role in shaping the regions future.

“We’re surrounded by public conservation land here in South Westland. Concession holders, farmers, and whitebaiters will all be affected by the new CMS, and changes could be made without their input unless they have their say.

Wilson urges Coasters to act quickly. “There is only a week left to have our say on this, so try and do the survey before the 16 December.”

Why your input matters

Owen Kilgour, Western South Island Operations Director says people’s views are important, “We want to make sure we are hearing from the community about the places and activities important to them and how they think the whenua should be managed in future."

The survey is already highlighting a range of community priorities. “Some of the topics raised so far are maintaining the natural state of the coast, maintaining tracks and huts, access for hunters and other activities like kayaking and commercial activity.

“We’ll put a summary on the website once we have analysed all the results so the public can see what we have learned.”

Survey responses, along with insights gathered from community events held in November, will guide the development of a draft CMS. Once the draft is released, there will be further opportunities for public input during a formal submission process.

Get involved

West Coasters can complete the survey online until Monday, 16 December.

“Don’t miss this opportunity to help shape the future of conservation in Te Tai Poutini,” Kilgour says. “Your voice matters.”

There will be additional community events in December during which the public can share ideas and ask questions about the CMS. Details are as follows:

Background information

The work to write a new CMS is happening in tandem with consultation on proposals which seek to modernise the concessions and planning system to make it more efficient and responsive.

The views of the community are important in any planning framework, and regardless of the outcome of the consultation, the responses from the survey will be used to inform DOC’s management approach on the West Coast.

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