3 November 2015

Media Release - Fior

Another Step Forward for Mackenzie Conservation - Trust to Be Formed

On Saturday the Shared Vision Forum, authors of The Mackenzie Agreement reconvened in Twizel. Sixteen of the 22 original signatories and a number of observers were present at the meeting. The Forum met to hear from Hon Nicky Wagner, Associate Minister of Conservation who has taken Government responsibility for the project.

Thirteen of the signatories of the Mackenzie Agreement agreed to the forming of a working party on Saturday to progress the formation of a Trust, to undertake the work envisaged by the Shared Vision Forum to assist with protecting the iconic landscapes and biodiversity of the Mackenzie Basin.

The members of the Forum developed the Mackenzie Agreement in a collaborative process based on a good faith relationship with the Government during 2011 and 2012. While it was agreed to progress to the formation of a Trust, signatories to the Mackenzie Agreement expressed their disappointment with the Government’s delayed response and inadequate recognition of the funding needs of the Agreement.

At the meeting on Saturday, Minister Wagner reported that the Government would contribute an initial $200,000 of seed funding for the establishment of a Trust and collegial ministerial support. The Minister suggested the Forum reconvene to broker a way forward.

Members made clear to the Minister that this was a departure from the terms of the Agreement. The meeting requested that the Government seriously reconsider its position in regards to funding and revise the sum to be more reflective of the expected operational costs of a Trust and statutory needs, including legislation if required.

Three of the signatories: Forest & Bird, Mackenzie Guardians and the High Country Landscape Group, decided that they were unable to lend their support to the establishment of a Trust at this time. They described the Government’s lack of commitment to legislative change and the small proposed financial contribution as unrealistic and untenable.

The meeting concluded on a positive note with thirteen signatories agreeing to the formation of the working party. It will consist of six members of the Shared Vision Forum, who will be meeting over the next two months to undertake the setting up of the Trust. Members of the working party are David Stone (Ohau Protection Society), Mike Neilson (Tourism Waitaki), Marie Brown (Environmental Defence Society), Andrew Simpson (Mackenzie Federated Farmers), Claire Barlow (Mayor Mackenzie District Council) and Peter Wilson (Federated Mountain Clubs)

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