United Wants Department Of Conservation Abolished

United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne, wants the Department of Conservation abolished.

Mr Dunne told the annual conference of the New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council in Nelson this afternoon that New Zealanders' rights to enjoy the environment were running an unacceptable second to rigid conservation values.

"The present set-up for the management of the great outdoors in New Zealand because is unbalanced."

"We say there is consequently a need to bring both strands more closely together, through the establishment of one government department with responsibility for the twin values of recreation and conservation, to restore the balance and to get around the division presently occurring."

"Under this plan, the present Department of Conservation with its narrow charter of conservation advocacy would be disbanded, and replaced by a new Department of Outdoor Recreation mandated to be an advocate for both the natural environment and genuine recreational values," Mr Dunne said.

Mr Dunne said a balance had to be struck between the enjoyment of recreational fishing as a relaxing and refreshing pastime, and the protection of species and the natural environment, but this was not happening at present under existing structures.

ENDS

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