Policy Area: Conservation/Lands

Statement of General Direction:

The preservation and enhancement of the environment is sound economics. Our vision is to create a clean, healthy and unique environment sustaining nature and people's needs and aspirations.

Key Initiatives of Policy:

Increase funding to Department of Conservation by additional $17 million in each of the next three years, and allow $3 million for completion of Pastoral Lease Review (throughlands).

Establish Tongariro and Longwoods Conservation Parks by the end of 1997 and gazette West Coast Accord reserves.

Recognise the importance to New Zealanders of rights of access to the Conservation Estate.

Establish Hauraki Gulf Marine Park by end of first term. Use marine reserves for replenishing fish populations.

Establish a Kauri National Park.

Consult on adding Waitutu to Fiordland National Park and extending Whanganui National Park.

Fund threatened species recovery programmes and encourage further partnerships with private sector. Additional $5 million per annum (funded through Department of Conservation).

Belief in principle that mining should not occur on conservation land. Mining should be subject to strict environmental criteria.

Clarify and strengthen legislation protecting heritage sites, buildings, objects including improved documentation of important Maori sites. Ensure heritage buildings etc have affordable/reasonable access to earthquake protection insurance.

Seek to resolve Treaty grievances without compromisig environmental protection, whilst recognising importance of Maori customary use of certain materials.

Sub-Antarctic Islands forWorld Heritage status.

Use tourism industry as tool for marketing philosophy of "guardianship" over environment to overseas visitors.

Additional Issues Raised by New Zealand First:

Thorough census of Kaimanawa horse population followed by population control strategy comprising contraception and muster for sale, thereby allowing native tussocks to rejuvenate.

Active pest management strategies to be pursued and adequately funded.

High Country Leases: Ensure public consultation on the issue of high country leases to preserve land with high conservation value prior to any amendments to the law proceeding beyond the report back of the Select Committee. Thorough consideration of this issue and further negotiation required.

Fiscal Implications of this Policy Agreement:

Additional funding required for Department of Conservation pest management and threatened species programmes. Funding required for proposals:

$17 million	for additional Department of Conservation funding
$3 million	for Pastoral Lease Review
$3 million	for pest management strategy
$5 million	for threatened species management
$28 million	Total

(All funding proposals subject to being considered within the agreed spending policy parameters.)

Legislative Implications of this Policy Agreement:

Possible legislation for Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

Pastoral Lands Bill currently in Select Committee. Requires negotiation to reach an agreed position.