Press Release Northland Conservation Board

Northland Conservation Board Chairman Derek Keene has acknowledged the efforts of two leading Northland environmentalists for their work promoting biodiversity issues.

Mr Keene attended the official launch of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy in Wellington last week and said long time environmental campaigners Stephen King and Wade Doak were among 12 New Zealanders honoured with biodiversity accolades.

Mr Keene said the pair was unable to attend the event but were nonetheless publicly acknowledged for their work over the years, Mr King for his work protecting Kauri and Mr Doak for his efforts promoting the importance of marine reserves.

“Its through the efforts of committed people like Mr King and Mr Doak that the issue of biodiversity is being kept alive,” Mr Keene said.

“I believe the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy (NZBS) is an extremely important document that sets down on paper the country’s commitment to dealing with its most pervasive environmental problem,” Mr Keene said.

The NZBS is a plan adopted by the Government to halt the decline in this country’s indigenous biodiversity – the native species and the ecosystems that support them.

The NZBS is now Government policy and has signalled a commitment to achieving the goals within it that include conserving and sustainably managing New Zealand’s biodiversity.

Implementation of the NZBS has already begun. Priority actions have been identified that will lead to the greatest gains for biodiversity in the first five years. Implementation will be monitored along with changes in the state of the country’s biodiversity.

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