The New Zealand Conservation Authority has decided to put its proposed review of the general policy for National Parks
on hold for the time being to focus on providing support and advice on the conservation priorities of the new
Government.
The general policy drives planning for what activities can occur in national parks. It ensures there is an appropriate
balance between the preservation of native plants and animals, the welfare in general of the parks, and the rights of
the public to access and enjoy these special places. The current policy was issued in April 2005.
Chair Warren Parker says, “Our national parks are facing pressures arising from tourism growth, and the impacts of
climate change on both biodiversity and infrastructure. There is also the environment around the new Crown/Iwi portfolio
and how this connects to conservation.”
Since the NZCA decision in August 2017 to proceed with a review there has been a change of Government, along with a new
Minister of Conservation.
“We have decided as an Authority that it’s important for us to focus on how we can work with the Minister to address
these issues together,” Parker says.
“We also want to support the Minister in her priorities for the coming year, including addressing the decline in
biodiversity, developing the national visitor strategy, and expediting conservation management strategies and plans
currently in preparation.”
“Because of this we have decided to put the review of the National Parks general policy into abeyance temporarily,”
Parker says. “We will look to pick up this work further down the track.”
Ends.