Chris Mulcahy

The Coalition Government’s Conservation Amendment Bill now before the Environment Select Committee proposes radical changes to the safeguarding of the conservation estate in New Zealand.

It is the opposite of “conservation” – it is about the exploitation of conservation land. This bill opens the conservation estate to commercial development, concentrates decisions in ministerial hands, and makes it far easier to sell land off permanently.

Like many of you, I have tramped, walked and fished on conservation land. I am particularly concerned that the heritage that should be my grandchildren’s birthright will be diminished, commercialised and sold away under this bill.

The bill changes the legal basis on which that land is managed, and not in the public’s favour. Buried in the bill is a change to the purpose of conservation land, a change that was never publicly consulted on.

The bill prioritises economic use and development of conservation land to the greatest extent practicable. This is prioritised over protecting conservation values.

Maybe they should just rename it the Development and Exploitation of the Conservation Estate Bill to make it clearer about what they want to do.

While Tama Potaka, National’s Minister of Conservation, was pressured to pull back on explicitly putting 60 percent of conservation land up for sale, the purpose of the bill remains the same – how can we make as much money as possible from conservation land.

This predominance of commercial interest over conservation values permeates every level, from national policy down to decisions about specific rivers, forests and mountains.

The bill also removes public accountability by stripping the New Zealand Conservation Authority of its power to approve how national parks are managed and replaces it with ministerial discretion. It also prevents consideration of recreation when selling or swapping conservation land. While Tama Potaka claims we can trust him, would you trust a Government that already wants to mine conservation land.

And this is not just something that affects other parts of the country. Here are some local areas affected by the Bill.

Kohi Point Scenic Reserve: Located right on Whakatāne’s doorstep, this coastal reserve is highly vulnerable to tourism expansion and commercial walking tour concessions.

Ohope Scenic Reserve: This pristine block of coastal native bush could see commercial activity tied to the neighbouring popular beach and holiday spots.

Whirinaki Te Pua Conservation Park: Located slightly inland from Whakatāne, its “Conservation Park” status makes it highly exposed to new commercial lodging, heavy eco-tourism operations, and infrastructure under the bill’s new economic mandate

Raukumara Forest Park: Stretching deeply between the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne, this vast park is categorized underneath National Park status, making it highly susceptible to large-scale commercial concessions or commercial carbon/forestry venture.

Waioeka Scenic Reserve: Covering the dramatic gorge highway connecting Whakatāne and Gisborne, its “Scenic Reserve” classification makes it a primary candidate for road-side commercial development, visitor amenity zones, or private tourism stops.

Grays Bush Scenic Reserve: A highly visited, rare patch of surviving lowland forest right outside Gisborne. It could face intense commercial pressure for expanded tourist facilities and private amenities.

Cooks Cove Walkway: Located along the Gisborne coastline, these high-traffic coastal walkways are prime candidates for the bill’s proposed “visitor amenity areas”, which allow private companies to build and run commercial facilities.

New Zealanders never agreed to any of this. This was not something National, NZ First or Act campaigned on, and there has been no consultation with the public before this bill was introduced into Parliament. This is a glaring omission for such a significant bill with huge ramifications. Where is their mandate for such a change?

I cannot support this coalition government if it proceeds with this bill.