10 March 2000
Jeanette Fitzsimons today welcomed the prospect of a new partnership between the Government and private land owners
aimed at protecting what remains of New Zealand's biodiversity.
Ms Fitzsimons, Co-Leader of the Green Party, said she strongly supported the initiatives outlined in Bio-What, a report
on conservation on private land launched yesterday, and looked forward to seeing strong backing in the Budget for
biodiversity protection.
"New Zealand's biodiversity has been decimated by introduced pests and the felling of native forests to the point that
the symbol of our national pride, the kiwi, is under threat of extinction," said Ms Fitzsimons. "I welcome the
Government's support of all private land-owners who are willing to make part of their resource available to protect the
scarce remnants of our natural heritage."
Ms Fitzsimons acknowledged that an important facet of the partnership would be using public funds to back up the work
done by private land-owners.
"The cost of fencing and pest control should be met by the Government where private owners are prepared to come to the
party and provide the land. If owners are prepared to keep wetlands and native bush intact, then there should be some
assistance in meeting the additional costs of providing a safe habitat for native species on that land."
Ms Fitzsimons said work needed to be done on the anomaly of land owners paying rates on land that they were being asked
by the rest of the country to preserve as part of the country's heritage.
Ms Fitzsimons suggested that the partnership could be developed further to include restoring riparian strips to their
natural state.
"If land owners are prepared to provide a 10 metre strip along unprotected river banks for biodiversity purposes, then
public money could be used to enhance wildlife and water quality."
Ms Fitzsimons said the Green Party recognised that traditional land belonging to Maori required different solutions to
privately owned land.
"The Green Party is in favour of doubling the funding for Nga Whenua Rahui, the Government body which supports
conservation initiatives on Maori land," said Ms Fitzsimons.
Jeanette Fitzsimons MP: (07) 868 6641 or 025 586 068 Gina Dempster, Press secretary: (04) 470 6723 or 021 1265 289