Govt should fully fund kiwi recovery plan

The Department of Conservation’s (DOC) plan to boost kiwi numbers to nearly 100,000 by 2030 needs to be fully funded by the Government, not left to charities to pick up the tab, the Green Party said today.

The comments come on the back of the release of DOC’s Kiwi Recovery Plan 2017-2027, which relies on $1.3 million to be raised by charities, such as Kiwis for Kiwi, on top of the funding provided by the Government.

“The Government could easily pay the $1.3 million it is asking charities to pick up, and ensure our national bird’s protection,” said Green Party conservation spokesperson Mojo Mathers.

“The kiwi is our treasured national bird – the Government should not be leaving its survival up to charity or chance.

“The National Government has continually underfunded DOC since it came into office, to the tune of $55 million a year. At the same time, 142 of our native species have slid closer to extinction.

“The National Government’s plans for conservation, such as predator-free New Zealand and the new plan to boost kiwi numbers, don’t have the Government funding to make them work.

“Predator-free New Zealand relies on two thirds of its funding to come from the private sector. Our precious species need secure funding to help them, and shouldn’t have to rely on charitable donations to be viable,” said Ms Mathers.

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