Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill Select Committee Hearing

On the eve of the Local Government and Environment Select Committee hearing on the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill, Kermadec campaign partners, Forest & Bird, WWF-New Zealand and The Pew Charitable Trusts, say a Sanctuary would demonstrate to the world the care that all New Zealanders have for our ocean.

The Select Committee hearing is taking place from 9am until 1pm on Thursday, 2 June in Select Committee Room 1, Bowen House, Wellington. Evidence will be heard from a range of non-governmental organisations, academics and industry representatives. The Kermadec campaign partners are scheduled to give evidence at 9.30am.

Forest & Bird, WWF-New Zealand, and The Pew Charitable Trusts have campaigned for more than eight years for the creation of this Sanctuary.

Anton Van Helden, Marine Conservation Advocate from Forest & Bird said: “with less than half a percent of our marine environment protected, New Zealand needs to stand up and fully protect this area of global significance”.

Bronwen Golder, Director of the Kermadec Initiative from The Pew Charitable Trusts said: “the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill is a forward-looking action that will ensure that a unique ocean space, and the species found there, are fully protected into the future”.

Alex Smith, Senior Campaigner for WWF-New Zealand said: “the overwhelming majority – 89% – of New Zealanders want to see this amazing and ecologically-important region protected. Kiwis care about the ocean and enacting this Bill would demonstrate that to the world.”

ENDS

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