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Four ambitious conservation projects in Gisborne have received $78,000 in support from the DOC Community Fund, Conservation Ministers Maggie Barry and Nicky Wagner have announced.

The projects range from weed eradication on Gisborne’s Titirangi Maunga to protecting wild kiwi in Maungataniwha and represent the best of community conservation, the Ministers say.

“Each of the groups is helping wage the War on Weeds and protect native species from introduced predators and invasive plants,” Ms Barry says.

A new $12 million support fund for earthquake strengthening work on heritage buildings is now open for applications, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has announced.

Launched in September, the Heritage Earthquake Upgrade Incentive Programme (Heritage EQUIP) offers support for privately-owned heritage buildings needing seismic upgrades.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry have welcomed initiatives by the seafood industry to further protect Māui dolphins.

“There are already extensive fishing protections over a large part of the Māui dolphin distribution, and these new steps will provide even greater reassurance and protection,” says Mr Guy.

The proposed changes by Moana New Zealand and Sanford cover the area from Maunganui Bluff in the North to the Whanganui River Mouth. They include:

Volunteer work to support trampers, hunters, climbers and everyone who enjoys New Zealand’s great outdoors has received a significant grant from the DOC Community Fund, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

“The Outdoor Recreation Consortium will receive $347,000 this year to assist with its work to improve, upgrade and maintain huts and tracks.”

Formed in 2014, the Consortium is a collaboration between the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand, the NZ Deerstalker’s Association and Trail Fund NZ.

The release of a proposed new spatial plan for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park has been welcomed by Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.

The Sea Change/Tai Timu Tai Pari marine spatial plan, designed to secure a healthy, productive and sustainable future for the Hauraki Gulf, is the result of three years’ work by the Sea Change group, representing mana whenua, councils, local conservationists, businesses, recreational fishers and the Government.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry today announced that New Zealand will take on a leadership role internationally, working with others to control and eradicate invasive alien species and protect native habitats.

The Minister has made the announcement at the International Convention on Biological Diversity which is currently meeting in Cancun, Mexico to consider the best way to meets targets to reduce the impact of invasive species on global biodiversity.

Redevelopment of Hamilton’s Meteor Theatre will receive $368,000 in Government funding, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has announced.

“The Meteor is an important part of Hamilton’s vibrant arts scene and a deserving recipient of this grant from the Regional Culture and Heritage Fund,” Ms Barry says.

“With the closure of the Founder’s Theatre, Hamilton needs its smaller venues to step up and carry the city’s touring and performing arts programmes.”

Two new members have been appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission Board, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has announced.

Pania Tyson-Nathan and Tom Greally will replace outgoing Board members Cameron Harland and Charles Finny.

“It’s an exciting time to be working in the New Zealand screen sector,” Ms Barry says. “I’m pleased to welcome these two new members to the Board, and am certain their diverse experiences and perspectives will be valuable.”

A new action plan setting targets for protection of New Zealand’s unique native animals and environment has been officially released by Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.

New Zealand’s Biodiversity Action Plan 2016-2020 sets out how the country intends to turn the tide of biodiversity loss and counter threats to native species.

Ms Barry leaves for Cancun, Mexico today to attend the International Convention on Biological Diversity, where she will present the new Action Plan to a global audience.

A showcase for New Zealand’s significant places has been launched in Northland today, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says.

“Landmarks Whenua Tohunga will pick out our must-see places – connecting them together and creating a journey to some of our most important heritage sites,” Ms Barry says.

New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 programme is at the forefront of a global effort against invasive predators, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

“Today sees the launch of the Honolulu Challenge, an initiative by 33 international conservation organisations calling for urgent action to reduce the impact of invasive species on global biodiversity,” Ms Barry says.

New Zealand was one of the first members of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to commit to the Challenge at the World Congress in Hawaii in September.

The company which will be a key player in achieving New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 ambition is now up and running, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

“Today marks the official establishment of Predator Free 2050 Ltd and the appointment of a skilled board of nine directors,” Ms Barry says.

More than $1 million in new funding will be committed to the battle against the spread of wilding conifers in Queenstown and Central Otago, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has announced.

“The landscape of Central Otago is justifiably world-famous, but it is threatened by rapidly spreading wilding conifers which cloak landscapes in trees that aren’t supposed to be there,” Ms Barry says.

“These trees suck up priceless water, smother habitat for native plants and animals, and are advancing at a rate of five per cent a year.”

A new strategy for tackling wilding conifers in the Mackenzie Basin has been announced today by Conservation Ministers Maggie Barry and Nicky Wagner.

“Currently, wilding conifers impact on almost a quarter of land in the Mackenzie Basin, and without further control they will spread and take over large areas of farm and conservation land,” Ms Barry says.

“Wilding conifers are a major threat to our ecosystems, land and farms. These invasive self-sown trees spread fast and are very hard to eliminate once established.

The Government will commit $180,000 towards urgent conservation work on Sir Ed Hillary’s historic hut at Scott Base in Antarctica, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has announced.

Ms Barry visited the hut and made the announcement in person during her visit to Antarctica this week.

“This funding will allow the Antarctic Heritage Trust to complete vital restoration work on the hut in time for its 60th anniversary in eight weeks,” Ms Barry says.

Whanganui’s Sarjeant Gallery and Museum will receive $10.4 million in funding for redevelopment work, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has announced.

“Both these important institutions will be safeguarded well into the future through this major backing from the Government’s Regional Culture & Heritage Fund,” Ms Barry says.

The invasive pest great white butterfly has been eradicated from New Zealand in a world-first achievement, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry say.

“This is the first eradication of an unwanted butterfly population in the world and is another impressive example of New Zealand’s innovation and skill in removing pests,” Ms Barry says.

Great white butterflies posed a major threat to native plant species and primary sector economy.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry will travel to Antarctica tomorrow to visit Scott Base and the historic explorer’s huts in the Ross Dependency.

Ms Barry travels as a guest of the Antarctic Heritage Trust and will be accompanied by chair Mark Stewart, executive director Nigel Watson and Paul James, chief executive of the Ministry for Culture & Heritage.

The effort to stop invasive wilding conifers from choking the Kaimanawa ranges has received a major funding boost, Land Information Minister Louise Upston and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry have announced.

“The Government is investing an additional $538,000 in control work in the Kaimanawa ranges this year, as part of the $16m it is investing nationally to control wilding conifers over the next four years,” Ms Upston says. 

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has welcomed the choice of design for the French memorial at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.

“On Armistice Day, it’s fitting the chosen design has been unveiled,” Ms Barry says.

“The memorial, Le Calligramme, was designed by the award-winning Auckland firm Patterson Associates and takes inspiration from the work of French poet Guillaume Apollinaire.

Strength in New Zealand’s music industry has been welcomed by Broadcasting Minister Amy Adams and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry.

PricewaterhouseCoopers’ New Zealand Music Industry Economic Report 2015 report found that the direct contribution to the economy was $245 million, up from $213 million in 2014.

“It’s incredibly encouraging to see such a positive year for the New Zealand music industry, with four out of five market segments recording increased growth rates,” says Ms Adams.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has congratulated the winners of this year’s Conservation Innovation Awards, to be presented in Wellington tonight.

An app to identify kauri dieback, a bird location drone and a water monitoring device are the latest winners of WWF-New Zealand awards, now in their third year.

“These awards celebrate exciting developments in conservation by creative people dedicated to the cause of protecting our nature,” Ms Barry says.

The fight against wilding conifers in two iconic high country areas of the South Island has received a major funding boost, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry have announced.

Work to control the spread of wildings in the Molesworth area of Marlborough and the Amuri block in North Canterbury will receive an additional $730,000 in Crown funding from Budget 2016.

The future of the historic Muka Studio press has been safeguarded thanks to an $110,000 Government grant for the Eastern Southland Gallery in Gore, Arts, Culture & Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has announced.

Used to produce works by Toulouse Lautrec and Pablo Picasso, the giant 19th century lithographic press was brought to New Zealand by printmakers Frans Baetens and Magda van Gils, founders of Auckland’s influential Muka Studio, in 1984.