Forest & Bird says New Zealanders will be shocked to
learn that the National Party has committed to passing
conservation law changes without protecting conservation
land from sale, or prioritising conservation over economic
development.
In a Bluegreen Policy released today,
National has committed to passing the Conservation Amendment
Bill (CAB) if re-elected. However, the Bluegreen Policy
fails to include a specific commitment to the public to
prevent making it easier to sell off conservation land, or
clarify whether conservation will take priority over
economic development on conservation land.
The Bill
currently allows for widespread sale of conservation land
and a significant change to how public conservation land is
managed. The controversial Bill resulted in a nationwide
public backlash and a promise from the Government to New
Zealanders that it would not progress the parts of the Bill
that made it easier to sell conservation land.
“The
Bluegreen Policy fails to fulfil that commitment to
Kiwis,” says Richard Capie, Group Manager Policy &
Advocacy. “Without explicit and strong commitments to
protect conservation land, New Zealanders may see the
Conservation Amendment Bill passed with provisions enabling
sales and disposals included once Parliament
resumes.
“The risk to conservation land is
stark.
“New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones
has explicitly said his party will campaign to open
conservation land to economic development, including mining
and quarrying everywhere except national parks.
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“ACT
leader David Seymour has also come out and restated ACT’s
position in favour of opening up conservation land for sale
and development.”
The Bluegreen Policy also fails to
clarify National’s position on a controversial clause in
the Bill which prioritises economic development over
conservation, requiring the Department of Conservation to
recognise and enable economic opportunities from the use and
development of land and natural resources to the greatest
extent practicable.
“New Zealanders should not have
to wonder whether their favourite forest, mountain, river,
beach, or conservation reserve will be protected for future
generations, or whether it would be sold off or developed,”
says Mr Capie.
“Public conservation land is where we
whakapapa to, where we holiday with family. Every New
Zealander has a shared responsibility to protect these
special places.
“Selling off conservation land is
deeply unpopular with voters for every political
party.”
Forest & Bird commissioned polling by
Curia in June which found 64% of New Zealanders opposed
allowing the sale of public conservation land. Opposition
was also recorded among 54% of National voters, 63% of ACT
voters and 50% of NZ First voters.
Forest & Bird
is calling on every political party to commit to protecting
conservation land. If this Bill goes ahead, parties should
commit to:
- removing the sale and exchange
provisions in the Conservation Amendment
Bill - removing or changing Section 6(ea) to
prioritise conservation over economic development on public
conservation land
“The stakes are high. Public
conservation land contains national treasures and supports
our threatened species like the whio, kākāpō, and kiwi,”
says Mr Capie.
“New Zealanders are proud of our
public conservation estate. They expect it to be protected
by
politicians.”
