Public submissions are now open on the Conservation (Infringement System) Bill. This bill proposes broad changes to laws around protecting New Zealand’s environment. The bill focuses mainly on ensuring penalties for conservation-related offences are fair.

This bill seeks to:
• Improve laws around protecting New Zealand’s conservation
• Ensure conservation-related penalties are fair and match the seriousness of the offence
• Protect New Zealanders from gaining criminal convictions for minor offences
• Increase consistency in the treatment of offences
• Remove unnecessary costs to the court system

Should fish and game councils have infringement powers?

Although not in the bill as currently drafted, the Environment Committee also seeks views from the public on whether fish and game councils should be granted infringement powers. Department of Conservation advice on this is included as Appendix 1 to this media release.

Tell the Environment Committee what you think

Send your submission on the bill by midnight on 6 April 2018.

For more details about the bill:
• Read the full content of the bill
• Get more details about the bill
• What’s been said in Parliament about the bill?

© Scoop Media