Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Call to action to save threatened species

Hon Maggie Barry
Minister of Conservation

10 May 2017 Media Statement

Call to action to save threatened species

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has issued a “call to action” for the nation to get behind efforts to protect New Zealand’s threatened native plants and animals.

Minister Barry launched the Department of Conservation’s draft Threatened Species Strategy at the Threatened Species Summit in Wellington this morning.

“Our unique plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth and help to define who we are as New Zealanders, adding immeasurable value to our culture, our identity and our landscapes,” Minister Barry says.

“The draft strategy sets out a course to a safe, secure future for our native species by building on existing programmes and commitments, and focusing on partnerships with iwi, communities, landowners, philanthropists, local and regional councils and botanic gardens.”
“We have built up an impressive armoury in the fight to save our native species, so I feel confident that if we all pull together we can achieve this. Predator Free 2050 has created a wave of enthusiasm around the country to achieve ambitious conservation goals, while the War on Weeds and Battle for our Birds are fundamental to expanding native species protection.”

The success of DOC’s work to date is showing through in a revised Bird Threat Classification publication the Minister has also released today.

”Four of our most threatened bird species: takahē, rowi/Okarito brown kiwi, Campbell Island snipe and Campbell Island teal have moved down from the highest threat class, Nationally Critical, to Nationally Vulnerable. It’s the first time a kiwi species has been moved out of the highest threat class,” Ms Barry says.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“The new assessment shows that in areas where there’s conservation management, we are making good progress in protecting vulnerable bird species. Since the first assessment in 2012, the fortunes of 22 threatened bird species or taxa (29%) have improved,” Ms Barry says.

A revised plant classification will be released in the next few months and
consultation on the draft Threatened Species Strategy is open until 31 Julyand the final strategy will be released in August.

Background information:

The draft Threatened Species Strategy aims to safeguard New Zealand’s vulnerable threatened species and set them on the path to recovery. To achieve strategy’s vision and assess our progress, we plan to meet the following goals:

• Manage 500 species for protection by 2025 – a 40% increase on today – and 600 species for protection by 2030.
• Enhance the populations of 150 prioritised threatened and at risk species by 2025
• Integrate Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view) and mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) into species recovery programmes by 2025
• Support research, particularly through the National Science Challenges, that helps us to better understand data deficient species

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.