Conservation Amendment Bill Submission Guide
Click here to make your submission today!
New Zealanders love our native forests, wild spaces, and the public access to them that we all enjoy.
But right now, the Luxon Government is selling out New Zealanders, trying to sell off our precious conservation land to make corporations and the super-rich, even richer.
The Conservation Amendment Bill is being pushed through the legislative process by this Government and Conservation Minister, Tama Potaka.
This Bill directs the Department of Conservation to prioritise economic activity on conservation land – meaning up to 60% of these incredible public lands would be open to sale, exchange or disposal.
This goes against the purpose of conservation and environmental protection, threatens future generations’ ability to enjoy the great outdoors, and is inconsistent with our shared values as a country.
(remember to also sign our petition here)
Submissions on the bill close 11:59pm Thursday 2nd July
Why is this important?
Conservation law is what protects the landscapes, ecosystems and wildlife that shapes who we are as New Zealanders. However, this Government is trying to weaken those protections, opening the door to serious and lasting damage.
Once conservation land is sold off or destroyed for commercial gain, it is hard if not impossible for it to be restored. If we fail to protect it now, we risk losing these places and all the unique life that they support, forever.
The places New Zealanders treasure most, our mountains, forests, lakes and rivers, depend on strong conservation law for their protection.
These wild places have not survived by accident; they endure because generations of conservationists fought hard to win the legal safeguards that keep them safe.
This map has been developed by Forest & Bird and shows you the areas that would be at risk if this bill is passed.
Submission Template (what you could say in your submission):
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THE CONSERVATION AMENDMENT BILL
(We recommend then talking about the three worst parts of this Bill)
1. Shifting the purpose of the Act from conservation to commercial development. I do not support requiring the Department of Conservation (DOC) to balance conservation outcomes with commercial opportunities. This change fundamentally shifts the purpose of the Conservation Act away from protecting our precious species and places towards enabling corporate development on our public conservation land.
2. Opening up our conservation land to be sold or disposed of. I do not support amendments making it easier to sell, dispose of or exchange conservation land. Making approximately 5 million hectares of public land eligible for sale or exchange is irresponsible and irreversible. I’m concerned that these changes will see land sold to mining companies or other commercial bodies looking to make a quick buck.
3. Allowing commercial activities on conservation land. I do not support opening up more of our conservation land to commercial activities. Many minor activities, such as tourism operations, are already allowed through existing rules. I am concerned these new changes could lead to faster approvals for mining and facilitate more harmful and exploitative development within public conservation land.
Make sure to submit before 11:59pm Thursday 2nd July to ensure your voice is heard!
We encourage you to select ‘yes’ to make an oral submission to the select committee, even if you do not wish to do so. You do not have to make an oral submission, even if said ‘yes’ - it is just another way to show the Government how many people want to be heard.
Other useful resources