Conservation - Policy Summary

View our 2008 Conservation Package [1.8Mb PDF]

Read the detailed Conservation Policy.

Key Principles

• New Zealand's indigenous plants, animals and ecosystems must be protected.
• Support given to kaitiakitanga of hapu in conservation management.
• A network protected areas of land and water.
• Public access to the conservation estate.

Specific Policy Points

Conservation on Land

• Oppose carve up of DoC
• Increase funding to restore capacity in science, education and field work
• Support advocacy role in RMA cases
• Increase funding for ground-based pest control
• Increase funding for conservation on private land, eg Nature Heritage Fund
• Tighten biosecurity measures

Public Access

• Support walking right of access along waterways
• Ensure paper roads remain open and adequately marked
• 'Access Commissioner' to: negotiate, advise, report and develop code of conduct
• Financial support for landowners who need signs and fencing

Conservation on Land: High Country

• No land sales to overseas persons unless residing here 185 days per year
• Moratorium on tenure review while we assess whether it is meeting conservation objectives
• Assess valuation methods which undervalue Crown interest
• Boost Nature Heritage Fund to be able to purchase more leases

Conservation with Communities

• Build on Greens' successful budget bids for community initiatives
• Improve DOC/iwi relationships
• Protect RMA
• Expand Greens' environmental legal aid fund established in 'Budget 2000'

Conservation of the Sea: Pollution

• Require oil tankers to be double-hulled
• Passage restrictions to protect sensitive areas

Conservation of the Sea: Protected Areas

• Pass Marine Reserves Bill and create network of reserves
• No seabed mining in significant habitats, eg Maui dolphin
• Step up marine biosecurity efforts
• Require impact assessment of seabed exploitation in EEZ

Conservation of the Sea: Fishing

• Impact assessment and best practice for fishing methods
• Support moratorium on bottom trawling in international waters
• Set near zero limits for threatened by-catch species in all fisheries
• Close fishery if limits exceeded
• Observers on all significant vessels