Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today said she was pleased with the resolution of the long-running problem of how to manage wild deer populations to protect biodiversity while also providing for the interests of recreational hunters.

The Department of Conservation's deer management policy which was announced yesterday will see wild deer classified as pests and will allow increased levels of recreational hunting by removing some restrictions.

"I am really pleased that there is at last some resolution to this long-running issue," said Ms Fitzsimons. "While there is still a great deal of scope for recreational hunters we have drawn a line and said that deer must be managed to protect our unique biodiversity.

"Deer browsing of seedling regeneration and shrubs is a major cause of forest degradation in some areas such as the Kawekas," said Ms Fitzsimons.

"I hope we have now got a framework in which to assess the role of recreational hunting in relation to forest conservation."

Jeanette Fitzsimons MP: 04 470 6660, 025 586 068 Jonathan Hill (press secretary): 04 470 6719, 021 440 090

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