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Land transferred to protect native grasshopper
The home of a giant native grasshopper is now safer after Crown land in the Mackenzie Basin was protected as conservation land, Land Information and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage announced today. “The triangle-shaped 440 ha area known as the “Tekapo Triangle” is home to the largest known population of robust grasshopper (Brachaspis robustus), a species which is only found in New Zealand’s Mackenzie Basin,” Eugenie Sage said. “The robust grasshopper is a Mackenzie Basin icon. Protecting the Tekapo Triangle will... -
Pre-human habitat protected by purchase
A block of South Canterbury land rich with native plants that existed before human habitation will be preserved after the Nature Heritage Fund purchased it. Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage today announced the formal protection of 19 hectares of uncultivated land, 5 kilometres north east of Geraldine, purchased from the Ellery family who have owned the site since 1886. The family offered the land to the Fund for purchase after it was declared a significant natural area under the RMA, because... -
Environmental Protection Authority chair and deputy announced
The new Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Board chairperson and deputy were announced by Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage today. The new chairperson is Julie Hardaker and her deputy is Steven Tipene Wilson. The EPA board is responsible for the EPA’s governance. The EPA makes decisions for and regulates hazardous substances and new organisms as well as specified marine activities in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone. It also provides administrative support for the decision-making on major infrastructure and called in projects... -
Local government support on waste welcome
Local government leadership is crucial to turn around New Zealand’s approach to waste, Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage says. Today at its AGM and conference Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) voted to support several proposals to tackle recycling and waste problems, including calling for strong Government leadership. “I welcome local government's support and leadership on the pressing issue of waste reduction. Work is underway in the Ministry for the Environment in the areas identified by LGNZ,” Eugenie Sage said. “Since... -
Standards and clear information needed on compostable and biodegradable plastics
New information confirms work is needed to ensure there are good standards and clear information for consumers about biodegradable and compostable plastics, Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage says. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton published an online guide on biodegradable and compostable plastics yesterday. “It’s very hard for families and businesses to make choices that are good for the environment when some products don’t do what they say,” Eugenie Sage said. “This guide is a valuable resource for... -
Possum and pest free plan for Mahia Peninsula
The Government is backing a Hawke’s Bay Regional Council plan to make Mahia Peninsula possum free with a $1.62 million funding injection announced by Conservation Minister, Eugenie Sage today. The Predator Free Hawke’s Bay Project builds on two existing projects and expands predator control work onto the Mahia Peninsula. “The community wants to create a possum-free Mahia, and at the same time will control feral cats, stoats and ferrets,” Eugenie Sage said. “The Government is contributing $1.62 million through a... -
Initiatives back community conservation work
Communities will have two new tools to help combat rats, stoats and possums that are killing our native birds, plants and other wildlife, Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said in Nelson today. Eugenie Sage announced a new course on predator training methods and a toolkit to support community groups wanting to help save native birds and wildlife by trapping rats, stoats and possums. “New Zealanders love our unique native forests and plants and species like kiwi, kaka, kakariki and whio/blue duck... -
New science report lists sharks as threatened
The great white shark and basking shark have been classed as ‘threatened’ for the first time and the future of these species is not positive, a new scientific report released today by Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage says. The New Zealand Threat Classification System report updates the conservation status of 113 species or types of sharks, rays and chimaeras (also known as ghost sharks) found in New Zealand waters. “Great whites are long-lived and reach sexual maturity in over 28 years... -
First step towards NZ’s largest pest-free island
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage has announced funding for the first step in New Zealand’s most ambitious island pest eradication. Speaking at Forest and Bird’s 2018 Conference, the Minister committed $2 million over the next three years to complete planning, including field trials, towards making sub-Antarctic Auckland Island predator free. “This is an ambitious project on the 46,000 ha Auckland Island and a major step towards the goal of New Zealand being predator free by 2050,” Eugenie Sage said. “The funding... -
Government declines application to mine conservation land at Te Kuha
An application to mine coal on public conservation land near Te Kuha in the Buller District has been declined, Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and Minister of Energy Resources Megan Woods announced today. Rangitira Developments Ltd had applied for an access arrangement under the Crown Minerals Act to mine 12 hectares of public conservation land in the Mt Rochfort Conservation Area, near Te Kuha, as part of a large opencast coal mine. The 12 ha area is part of the...