Articles tagged with Conservation

New Conservation Appointments Boost Private and Māori Land Investment

10 hours ago | 21 views

Minister Tama Potaka announces new and returning appointments to the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust and Ngā Whenua Rāhui, emphasizing their roles in promoting conservation investment on private and Māori land. The Trust works with private landowners to protect ecological and cultural spaces through perpetual covenants, with Alan Livingston re-appointed as Chair and Debbie Hyland appointed. The Ngā Whenua Rāhui Komiti funds protection of Māori land and native ecosystems while preserving landowners' ownership and control, with Mere George re-appointed and Kipa Munro and Maui Solomon appointed, highlighting the importance of collaboration for conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Tags: Tama Potaka Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Ngā Whenua Rāhui Alan Livingston Debbie Hyland Mere George Kipa Munro Maui Solomon conservation Aotearoa New Zealand

Raukūmara Pae Maunga: $6 Million Investment Boosts Indigenous Conservation Efforts

3 days ago | 69 views

A $6 million investment in the Raukūmara Pae Maunga restoration project aims to strengthen local employment and iwi-led conservation efforts against destructive pests, supported by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. The project, a collaboration between Ngāti Porou, Te-Whānau-ā-Apanui, and the Department of Conservation, focuses on large-scale pest control, forest regeneration, community engagement, and species protection in the Raukūmara Range. Through innovative approaches like DNA surveying and aerial hunting, the project is enhancing conservation efforts and developing a new generation of indigenous conservation leaders, with funding secured until 2028 from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.

Tags: Tama Potaka Ngāti Porou Department of Conservation Raukūmara Pae Maunga Conservation Minister Dana Kirkpatrick Caleb Wharepapa Te Papa Atawhai Raukūmara Range

New Public Reserve Established: Watts Peninsula - Te Motu Kairangi in Wellington

3 weeks ago | 167 views

A public reserve named Watts Peninsula, also known as Mātai Moana, will be established on the Miramar Peninsula in Wellington, with significant historical and cultural value. The reserve, promised by the government in 2011, will encompass 72 hectares of land transferred from Land Information New Zealand to the Department of Conservation. Managed by a charitable trust appointed by Wellington City Council, Taranaki Whānui, and DOC, the reserve aims to preserve ecological, historical, and cultural significance, funded by the council and Taranaki Whānui.

Tags: Miramar Peninsula Te Motu Kairangi Tama Potaka Chris Penk Watts Peninsula Mātai Moana Land Information New Zealand Department of Conservation Fort Ballance Wellington City Council

Preserving Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki: Meet the Guardians Ensuring Future Generations Enjoy this Natural Beauty

1 month ago | 253 views

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka highlights the support from Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi to preserve Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki for future generations. The four Crown appointments to Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi include individuals with expertise in ecology, strategic advisory, cultural development, and governance leadership. These appointments aim to ensure the protection and enhancement of the area, with joint decision-making on certain concession matters between the Crown and Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi as per the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Act.

Tags: New Zealanders Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Professor Bruce Clarkson Stephen Daysh Hemi Sundgren Rex Hendry Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi Te Kāhui Tupua Maori Taranaki

Government Progresses Major Marine Protection for Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana

1 month ago | 256 views

The Government is progressing towards significantly increasing marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana to restore biodiversity and benefit future generations. This move aims to preserve unique wildlife habitats, support local economies, and address ecological decline in the Gulf. The Department of Conservation will lead the implementation of the new rules, focusing on education, compliance, and monitoring to protect critical habitats and balance community, environmental, and economic needs.

Tags: marine protection Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana biodiversity Conservation Minister Tama Potaka New Zealand economic value Department of Conservation DOC Marine Rangers Goat Island

2025 Conservation Board and NZCA Appointments: Strengthening Environmental Efforts in New Zealand

1 month ago | 255 views

The latest appointments to New Zealand's 15 Conservation Boards aim to enhance environmental efforts in the country. Minister for Conservation Tama Potaka announced a total of 145 appointments, including 21 reappointments, 37 new appointments, and 87 continuing members, focusing on diversity and community representation. Additionally, two reappointments and four new appointments were confirmed for the New Zealand Conservation Authority to provide strategic policy advice for conservation efforts in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Tags: Conservation Board Conservation Authority Tama Potaka New Zealand Aotearoa Department of Conservation DOC appointments environmental efforts community interests

New Zealand to Boost Economy and Jobs by Expanding Access to Conservation Areas

2 months ago | 543 views

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced plans to stimulate economic growth on a third of New Zealand's land, aiming to create jobs and boost wages nationwide. They highlighted issues with the current concessions regime for businesses operating on conservation land, proposing to reform the Conservation Act to streamline processes and introduce charges for foreign visitors at popular sites. The revenue generated from these charges, estimated at up to $62 million annually, will be reinvested in maintaining and enhancing conservation areas, while ensuring free access for New Zealanders.

Tags: Christopher Luxon Tama Potaka New Zealand Conservation Act Department of Conservation National Party Conference tourism agriculture infrastructure concessions

$4.5 Million Investment to Boost Rural Tourism and Create Jobs

2 months ago | 572 views

A $4.5 million investment in developing tourism at culturally significant sites aims to create jobs and boost rural economies, expanding the Tohu Whenua program to more regions. Tohu Whenua enhances visitor experiences by sharing unique cultural heritage stories and improving facilities. The program, a partnership between Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and DOC, has seen significant increases in visitation at sites and is set to expand to Manawatū-Whanganui and Murihiku Southland regions.

Tags: tourism cultural heritage Tama Potaka Tohu Whenua Conservation Minister Kate Sheppard House Kaikōura Peninsula DOC Aotearoa New Zealand Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

Boosting Sustainable Tourism with $17.5M Investment in Natural Attractions

2 months ago | 486 views

The $17.5 million investment in sustainable tourism aims to boost regional economies by supporting jobs and incomes at popular natural attractions in New Zealand. The funding will improve visitor planning and management at key sites like Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Milford Sound, ensuring the conservation areas continue to attract tourists with stunning nature. Additionally, investments in Great Walks and DOC campsites will enhance service and management, contributing to the country's economic growth driven by tourism expenditure of $44.4 billion and over 300,000 jobs.

Tags: Tama Potaka sustainable tourism Conservation Minister Aotearoa New Zealand tourism conservation areas Department of Conservation Great Walks tourism concessions economic growth

Government Funding Boost to Combat Invasive Weeds in NZ Tourist Landscapes

2 months ago | 425 views

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka highlights the importance of eradicating invasive weeds to benefit tourism and rural businesses in New Zealand. The government is investing in early detection technology and allocating funds from the International Visitor Levy to protect iconic landscapes like Abel Tasman, Aoraki/Mt Cook, and Tongariro. Additional funding is directed towards combating wilding pines and other significant weeds, aiming to safeguard the environment, economy, and biodiversity of the country.

Tags: Tourism rural businesses Government action invasive weeds early detection technology Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Department of Conservation International Visitor Levy wilding pines Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard

Boost in Great Walks Bookings Signals Conservation Success and Economic Growth

2 months ago | 577 views

A significant boost in the number of people booking bednights along the country’s Great Walks is a good sign for conservation tourism and local businesses, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Opening day bookings for each of the Great Walks were up by over 10,000 bednights compared to last year, totalling more than 140,000 bednights and bringing in more than $9 million to the Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai, says Mr Potaka. “Booking system upgrades - including a new online lobby - successfully processed a peak of nearly 12,000 people waiting to book the Milford when it opened on 28 May in an hour.

Tags: Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Great Walks Conservation tourism Local businesses Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai International Visitor Levy National Parks Rakiura National Park International visitors

Accelerating Economic Growth Through Efficient Conservation Land Applications Processing

2 months ago | 532 views

A targeted effort to reduce the backlog of applications for use of conservation land is accelerating economic growth without compromising conservation values, says Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. “Over the years, decision makers at the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai became wrapped and trapped in a sticky ball of red tape unnecessarily slowing the success of tourism operators, researchers, major infrastructure project developers, among many others. “The department is doing a great job delivering on my expectation to crack on with the mahi.

Tags: Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai tourism applications economic growth infrastructure AI tools Kokiri Lime conservation land

Conservation Minister Announces $22 Million Investment for Native Species and Pest Control in National Parks

3 months ago | 634 views

Toitū te marae a Tāne-Mahuta me Hineahuone, Toitū te marae a Tangaroa me Hinemoana, Toitū te tangata. Significant investment into supporting native species and tackling invasive pests in national parks has been announced by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. Mr Potaka visited the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust facility near Christchurch today, where he announced $22 million from the International Visitor Levy will go to restoring unique wildlife in national parks, islands and other popular visitor sites over the next three years.

Tags: Hineahuone Tangaroa Hinemoana Tama Potaka Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust Canterbury DOC IVL New Zealand

Backing biodiversity protection for Kaimai Mamaku

3 months ago | 740 views

A $750,000 investment into Iwi and community led biodiversity protection at Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park will benefit the environment and sustainable tourism, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “We’re backing much-needed protection for one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most unique conservation parks and southern-most kauri habitats through work to eradicate destructive wild goats, contributing to a healthier and scenic visitor experience near Tauranga,” Mr Potaka says. “Browsing animals, like wild goats affect forest regeneration significantly, and are considered a potential spreader of kauri dieback through soil they carry.

Tags: Aotearoa new Aotearoa new zealand Auckland International visitor levy Kaimai mamaku conservation park Kaimai mamaku restoration project Karangahake gorge Rotorua Tama potaka Tauranga Zealand