Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
EDS 2026 Conference Session Spotlight: Conservation Reform
The conservation estate is facing significant change. Core conservation law and general policy is being reviewed to streamline management planning and enable more development and use of public conservation land.
Many activities are proposed to be either pre-approved or exempt from the need for a concession. This is expected to remove about 30-40% of current applications from the system. New land classifications and zones are proposed to allow economically significant activities such as tourism, infrastructure and grazing.
Ministerial decisions have now been made on the reclassification of stewardship land on the West Coast. In many important respects, the decisions do not follow Departmental advice: only 6 of the 48 areas recommended for national park status were progressed. The Denniston Plateau was retained as stewardship land, notwithstanding calls for its protection as a Scientific Reserve. This means it remains open as a location for possible fast-track coal mining.
Recognition of ‘herds of national significance’ in national parks is being proposed. The conservation estate is being eyed up for afforestation, not limited to natives. And disposing of conservation land also looks to become easier, with removal of the “no or very low conservation value” eligibility criteria in favour of a “net conservation benefit” test.
In the midst of our biodiversity crisis, let’s ask ourselves, are we heading in the right direction with our conservation estate?
Session 11:
Conservation reform
Thursday 25 June 2026,
1.45pm - 3.00pm
Chair: Corina Jordan, CEO, Fish & Game New Zealand Council
The future of our Conservation
Estate
Short presentations followed by a
panel.
Hon Tama Potaka, Minister for Conservation
Hon Shane Jones, Deputy Leader, NZ First
Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Labour spokesperson for Conservation
Justin Tipa, Chair, Te Rūnunga o Ngāi Tahu
Erika Toleman, Acting CEO, Forest & Bird
Environmental Defence Society
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
Gordon Campbell: On The Political Panic Over Immigration
Greenpeace: New Climate Report Yet More Reason To Reduce Dairy Herd
Better Public Media: Opposing Plans To Scrap The BSA
Internal Affairs: Citizenship Test For Citizenship By Grant Applicants From Late 2027
Dayenu: Condemning Use Of Government Funding For Extremist Report On Antisemitism
PSA: Councils Must Work With Unions And Communities In Fast-Track Reform
Tauranga City Council: Mauao Restoration Work Has Begun
