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Thousands of New Zealanders have taken time out to camp and relax in Department of Conservation campsites around the country this summer, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

DOC manages more than 300 campsites from Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) in Northland to Rakiura/Stewart Island.

The most popular campgrounds in the North Island are Maitai Bay (Northland) and Waikawau Bay (Coromandel) with 30,000 visitors (bed-nights) for the 2010/2011 season. In the South Island Totaranui is the most-used with 29,000 users for that period.

The signing of the Wellington Harbour Islands (WHI) Management Plan sets the future vision and management of Wellington’s three harbour islands, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

Ms Wilkinson and Port Nicolson Block Settlement Trust Chair Hon Mahara Okeroa signed the plan at a ceremony in the Beehive this morning.

The Trust manages the Treaty settlement package from the Port Nicholson Block Settlement (PNBST) Act 2009 for Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika - the collective name of the four Wellington based iwi.

Three marine reserves will be created under the Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

The Bill had its first reading in Parliament today and will establish a marine reserve covering the entire 12 nautical miles of territorial sea around Antipodes Island.

Two more marine reserves around the Bounty Islands and Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku, covering 58 per cent and 39 per cent of those islands’ territorial seas will also be formed making a total of 435,163 hectares to be protected.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson is pleased the purchase of 5.6 hectares of land on the Miranda coast off the Firth of Thames will create a new scenic reserve to protect the area's chenier plains.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson today launched a two-day summit to look for new ways we can try and eradicate stoats, possums and rats - our three biggest pests.

Towards 2050 – A Pest Summit for New Zealand started today in Wellington.

“This workshop is looking for a radical rethink of how we view the pest problem in order to find the best long term solution for New Zealand’s prosperous future, not just short term gains,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson congratulated nine students who graduated from the Tauira Kaitiaki Taiao-Māori Cadetship Programme today.

Ms Wilkinson, the Māori King, Kīngi Tūheitia and Paramount Chief of Ngati Tūwharetoa Sir Tumu Te Heuheu attended the students’ graduation at Waikato Tainui College for Research and Development in Ngaruawahia.

Each graduate received the National Certificate in Conservation, the Trainee Ranger Certificate from Nelson/Marlborough Institute of Technology and a Certificate in Tikanga Maori from Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

Tena koutou
Tena koutou
Tena tatou katoa

Thank you for the opportunity to join you all here today to recognise the successful completion of the second Tauira Kaitiaki Taiao cadetship programme and celebrate the graduation of the nine participating cadets.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson is seeking proud New Zealanders to stand for their local conservation boards and make a difference in their community.

“Preserving our conservation estate is the responsibility of all New Zealanders, not just the government. Members of local conservation boards get to have a say to help protect their local conservation assets for future generations,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Nominations to all conservation boards are being sought. Vacancies on each board are as follows:

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson is increasing the size of the Taranaki/Whanganui Conservation Board from eight members to ten.

“Two additional members will increase the current knowledge, experience and skill base the board,” Ms Wilkinson says.

“This region has some of our most diverse and stunning conservation areas in the country.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson has welcomed plans to re-open the Tongariro Northern Circuit and part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing on Thursday.

The tracks to Emerald Lakes and Oturere Valley will also be opened on Thursday morning.

“Department of Conservation staff have worked hard since last week’s eruption at Mt Tongariro’s Te Maari crater to see what tracks can be opened and when,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson and Taupō MP Louise Upston will visit Turangi today to discuss the recent eruption of Mt Tongariro with the Department of Conservation and GNS Science.

The mountain erupted for the second time this year on Wednesday.

Ms Wilkinson and Mrs Upston will meet with Tuwharetoa paramount chief Sir Tumu te Heuheu and a small group of community leaders. They will be briefed by DOC and GNS officials on the current state of volcanic activity and possible future scenarios for Mt Tongariro’s Te Maari crater.

The Ohaaki Wetland is evidence of the success that can be achieved when groups work together towards a conservation goal, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

Established on 35 hectares of land beside the Waikato River, the Ohaaki Wetland was formally opened by Ms Wilkinson today.

“The wetlands will provide a unique marshland that will enhance biodiversity in the region by providing an ideal habitat for bird life, including rare or endangered species such as the White heron,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Native birds including great spotted kiwis in the Nelson Lakes National Park will have greater protection from stoats now that self-setting traps are in the region, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

The self-resetting traps were deployed in the area of the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project by Ms Wilkinson and Green MP Eugenie Sage today.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson leaves for India today to attend the 11th Convention on Biological Diversity in Hyderabad.

"The conference will bring together an estimated 8,000 delegates including representatives from states, non-government organisations, and indigenous people’s groups," Ms Wilkinson says.

Oceanic whitetip sharks are to get the same status as the great white shark, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson announced today.

International research show the species is facing high risk of extinction.

From early 2013 they will become fully protected under the Wildlife Act 1953, giving them the same protected status as great white shark and basking shark in New Zealand fisheries waters.

Record numbers of threatened species are now being actively managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), thanks in part to a new and world leading system, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson has announced.

The newly completed Natural Heritage Management System (NHMS) is a long-term initiative that will see our native flora and fauna managed more efficiently.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson is pleased to announce the appointment of Susan Yerex as a director on the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Board.

The QEII National Trust helps protect significant natural and cultural heritage sites on private land.

As at 30 June 2012 there were 3,659 registered QE II covenants on private land covering 99,782.67 hectares.

Two areas of Canterbury native bush and a rare native plant will receive part of a $2 million grant to help with their preservation, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson said today.

The grants are part of 66 conservation projects to receive funding in the latest round of Government Biodiversity Funds.

“These projects are great examples of where the Government works with landowners to protect our native plants, animals and their habitats in areas outside of public conservation lands,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Cabinet has agreed to tough new measures for people caught attempting to smuggle native wildlife out of the country, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

The Wildlife (Smuggling Deterrence) Amendment Bill will increase the maximum penalty for smuggling of native animals such as tuatara, parrots, and geckos from 6 months imprisonment or a $100,000 fine to up to five years imprisonment and/or a $300,000 fine.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson has announced Dunedin Ecologist Dr Ralph Allen the 2012 winner of the prestigious Loder Cup for his outstanding achievements in plant conservation work.

A professional plant ecologist for 30 years with the former DSIR and then Landcare Research, Dr Allen has been pivotal in protecting thousands of hectares of native forest, shrublands, and coastal vegetation throughout Otago, Southland, and the Kapiti Coast.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson has welcomed the start of Conservation Week 2012 today.

This year’s theme is 'Love your parks' and will involve celebrating the 60th anniversary of the National Parks Act and the 125th anniversary of Te Heuheu Tukino IV gifting the Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe mountain peaks to the people of New Zealand.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson has appointed a new Chair, re-appointed three existing members and appointed a new person to the Guardians of Lakes Manapouri, Monowai and Te Anau.

Ms Wilkinson has also extended the term of the Guardians from three to five years.

“Teresa McClelland of Invercargill is re-appointed to the position of Chair of the Guardians of Lakes Manapouri, Monowai and Te Anau,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson and Taupō MP Louise Upston have met with iwi, community and tourism industry leaders at Tongariro National Park today to discuss last week’s volcanic eruption.

Ms Wilkinson said it was important to fully understand the science behind the eruption and appreciate the cultural and economic significance of the event.

“This will help us support local iwi, community and business leaders in the future,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson was in Whanganui today to celebrate the completion of the Whanganui National Park Management Plan.

The plan sets out the philosophy and priorities for the management of the park for conservation and recreation purposes, and provides strategic direction and day-to-day guidance on the management of Whanganui National Park.