6 May 2008 Media Release
Conservation Minister visits West Coast
Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick today visited the West Coast of the South Island with local Member of Parliament
Hon Damien O’Connor.
“The West Coast is one of the few regions of New Zealand which I have not visited since becoming Minister of
Conservation last year. I wanted to take the opportunity to visit a region which is one of New Zealand’s tourism jewels,
and home to some wonderful native species,” Steve Chadwick said.
“The visit was principally to familiarise myself with issues on the West Coast – I was keen to use this opportunity to
personally visit the Mohikinui River and Punakaiki as there are conservation issues that have come to my attention.
“I am aware of developing issues about the proposed hydro dam and I felt it was important to see for myself the issues
involved. There are overlapping conservation and tourism issues and the Department of Conservation and Ministry of
Tourism are working very closely on these.”
The Minister’s visit included meeting Department of Conservation staff, inspecting the Buller region, as well as
speaking at a Soroptomist meeting and visiting Westland High School as Women’s Affairs Minister.
ENDS