Government's Conservation Overhaul Sparks Backlash Over Land Protections

A major overhaul of New Zealand's conservation land laws has triggered fierce criticism from environmental groups, who argue that the changes prioritize commercial interests over the protection of natural and cultural heritage. The proposed reforms, announced at the National Party conference in Christchurch, aim to streamline the process for businesses to obtain concessions on conservation land, with the government claiming the current system is 'broken' and slow.

The changes have drawn sharp opposition from Forest & Bird, a leading conservation organization, which warns that the reforms could shift the focus of conservation law from protection to exploitation. Chief Executive Nicola Toki described the proposed changes as 'the most significant weakening of conservation law in a generation,' stating that they risk transforming the Department of Conservation (DoC) from a guardian of biodiversity into a land-use manager.

According to Toki, the consultation document suggests that up to five million hectares of public conservation land could be made available for exchange or disposal if deemed 'surplus' or to 'support other government priorities.' She emphasized that this move would put additional pressure on native species and undermine the ecological and cultural significance of national parks.

'Our national parks are not theme parks — they are taonga with deep cultural and ecological significance,' Toki said. 'This feels less like policy and more like an international online auction of the very places that define who we are.'

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka defended the changes, stating that the reforms are aimed at fixing a backlog in the concession process rather than selling off conservation land. He noted that the current system is slow, with some concessions taking five to six years to obtain, and that the government has already halved the backlog in the last six months.

Potaka emphasized that the changes would improve the efficiency of the concession process and reinvest revenue into biodiversity protection and pest control. He also highlighted recent funding announcements, including $30 million for weed and pest control, as evidence of the government's commitment to conservation.

In addition to changes in land management, the government has proposed charging international visitors between $20 and $40 to access four of the country's most popular natural attractions — Cathedral Cove, the Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound, and Aoraki/Mt Cook. New Zealanders would not be charged, and the revenue is expected to generate approximately $62 million annually, all of which would be reinvested into the same areas.

While the government insists that the reforms will not shift the DoC's ecological mission, environmental groups remain skeptical, arguing that the changes could lead to the erosion of conservation protections and the commodification of New Zealand's natural heritage.