Media Release
15 February 2008
More Land and Fewer Caretakers
“The announcement of expected job losses at the Department of Conservation is unsurprising, but very concerning,” said
New Zealand First spokesperson for conservation, Doug Woolerton.
“Over the years, DOC has markedly increased the land area under its control without commensurate funding increases.
There was always going to be a breaking point and it seems to have arrived.
“The ongoing management of the conservation estate will suffer if there is not a redirection of resources and a
realistic evaluation of the costs of maintaining the expanding estate. It is vital that New Zealand’s natural and
historic heritage remains accessible to all New Zealanders, now and in the future,” said Mr Woolerton.
ENDS