The Green Party welcomes the release of the implementation plan for Te Mana o te Taiao Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy and calls on the Government to act faster to protect our oceans.
“Aotearoa New Zealand’s environment is at breaking point and so we’re delighted to see a clear pathway for meeting the strategy’s goals,” says Eugenie Sage, Green Party spokesperson for conservation.
“Te Mana o te Taiao the Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy was developed by the last Government so communities and governments can work together to make New Zealand a place where ecosystems are healthy and resilient, and people embrace the natural world.
“With the support of the Greens through the cooperation agreement we are delighted that this Government is picking up the baton and getting on with the essential work.
“However, an implementation plan is only as good as what follows it. The Government needs to get on with this vital work so nature can thrive for its own sake and as the basis of human wellbeing. We cannot afford any further delay, including for our oceans.
“As part of the last Government, the Greens made sure to include within the biodiversity strategy a goal of establishing marine protected areas in priority areas. Because of this, establishing marine protected areas is a key part of the Government’s Oceans and Fisheries Work Programme. But progress has been too slow. The implementation plan needed to provide more certainty than simply saying that work is ongoing.
“Back in March, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries told Parliament that the Government was doing its 'utmost' to establish new marine protected areas at Rangitāhua and on the South Island's south-east coast by the end of the current parliamentary term.
“The implementation plan was the ideal place to provide a firm commitment to making it happen, as well as clear timeframes for banning bottom trawling and establishing marine protected areas in the Hauraki Gulf,” Eugenie Sage says.
ENDS
Latest Environment Announcements
Story
$30m for school drinking water safety is a start but pollution keeps flowing
Story
“End of an era” as Government law change disestablishes Ministry for the Environment
Story
NZ democracy at risk of corporate corruption - Green Party backs urgent inquiry
Story
Action needed on widespread drinking water problems
Story
9,000 students faced unsafe drinking water at school last year
Story
Fast-track Decision Looms on Destructive Waitaha Hydro Scheme
Latest Conservation Announcements
Story
Bill would protect public conservation land this Government wants to mine
Story
Luxon’s Government guts conservation protections
Story
Government sacrifices nature to the bulldozer
Story
Wildlife law change a deep betrayal of public trust
Story
Govt funding for biodiversity an embarrassment
Story
Labour must deliver on No New Mines
Latest Biodiversity Announcements
Story
Stewardship land recommendations fall short of protecting nature
Story
Urgent action needed to bring natural environment back from the brink
Latest Oceans & Fisheries Announcements
Story
Fisheries Bill sacrifices the future of fishing for corporate profits
Story
Green Member’s Bill to recognise the personhood of tohorā
Story
Shane Jones’ gift to big fishing a blow to sustainability
Story
Shane Jones has no shame
Story
Fisheries consultation must put sustainability before profit
Story