Throwing money at DOC won’t solve core problems

National’s Conservation spokesman, Simon Power, says Labour must ensure the Department of Conservation gets back to its core focus of protecting and saving our valuable flora and fauna and not just throw money at the problem.

He is commenting after the announcement that DOC is to receive a $24.6m funding boost over four years in this year’s Budget to bolster its core work, such as saving the critically endangered kakapo.

“This is an acknowledgment of what National has been saying for the past six months. Labour have finally realised there is a problem and done something about it by reacting to National’s concerns.

“But they should be more particularly urging DOC to move in the direction of focussing on its core responsibilities.”

“In the past year, DOC has failed to meet 21 out of its 35 natural heritage targets and four out of its five historic and cultural heritage targets.

“Throwing money at DOC is not necessarily the solution. DOC needs to be directed by the Minister to concentrate its resources on its core functions,” Mr Power says.

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