Hon Nick Smith
Minister of Conservation
29 April 2013 Media Statement
Budget 2013: Support for frontline conservation work
An additional $20 million over four years has been allocated to the Department of Conservation in Budget 2013 to provide
for additional frontline roles and the upgrade of recreational facilities, Conservation Minister Nick Smith announced
today.
“The four year funding package complements the Government’s recently announced tourism investment. It recognises that
DOC is the Government’s primary agency responsible for providing infrastructure, visitor services and nature-based
experiences that support the tourism industry,” Dr Smith says.
“The funding also responds to concerns raised in consultation on DOC’s restructuring. There is support for DOC having a
leaner management structure and improved capacity to partner with iwi, business and the community, but there was also
genuine concern that too few DOC staff were being maintained at area offices and field centres. I am deliberately
announcing this funding early so it can be taken into account before DOC finalises its restructuring plans.
“$15 million of this funding, or around $3.8 million a year, will be used to increase DOC’s frontline workforce by
around 60. These positions will include visitor information and support staff along with rangers involved in work on
huts, tracks and protecting threatened species. These new positions will offset the 140 mainly management roles lost in
the proposed restructure. It will also ensure the changes to DOC are consistent with the Government’s goal of funds
being moved to support frontline public services.
“$5 million of the funding, or around $1.2 million a year, is for recreational facilities,” Dr Smith says. “This will
help DOC respond to the increase in use of popular and high profile facilities, with the funding focused on the network
of walks and new cycle trails.
“DOC, like all Government departments, has had to make significant savings in previous Budgets to help the Government’s
efforts to close the deficit and balance the books. This Budget announcement gives DOC stability in its funding and
enables it to plan confidently for the future.”
ENDS
Department of Conservation Baseline Funding 2011/12 – 2016/17
Years11/1212/1313/1414/1515/1616/17Existing Baseline$338m$341m$333m$330m$331m$332mBudget 2013 $5m$5m$5m$5mNew Baseline$338m$341m$338m$335m$336m$337m
*The figures exclude the impact of expected expense transfers where work is budgeted in one year but may for operational
reasons be done at a different time.