DoC Support of Kapiti Venture Welcome

Thursday 21 Feb 2002 Gerry Eckhoff Press Releases -- Environment & Conservation

ACT Conservation Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today said the Department of Conservation's conditional support for a planned Kapiti Island eco-tourism venture was a welcome departure from its normal `lock it up and leave it to nature' approach.

"I hope DoC's stance puts further pressure on the Government's Maori caucus and Conservation Minister Sandra Lee to put their full weight behind the proposal by Mr John Barrett and his Iwi interests.

"I take great encouragement from DoC's view of this plan because it suggests to me that the department is finally recognising that community involvement in conservation and allowing economic benefits to flow from that involvement is the best way of putting money back into protecting eco-systems and educating the public.

"I look forward to DoC taking this more enlightened approach with future proposed ventures," Gerry Eckhoff said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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