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Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson will join volunteers and artists from the Pew Charitable Trust aboard the HMNZS Otago today on a resupply mission to the Kermadec Islands.

“The Kermadec Islands are an amazing conservation haven and DOC works hard to preserve them,” Ms Wilkinson says.

“Raoul Island, where DOC staff are based, was struck by Cyclone Bune on March 28 and this resupply mission will enable repair work to be carried out on damaged buildings.

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson has welcomed a new Forest & Bird project to preserve a Marlborough population of a critically-endangered South Island bat.

At the launch of the Te Hoiere Bat Recovery Project at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve today, Ms Wilkinson said the pest control project provided an important safety net for the bat population.

The New Zealand Government’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Directions and Priorities 2010-20 framework document has been officially launched at Parliament this evening by Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson.

“I am pleased to host the formal launch of the Antarctic science strategy for the next decade to 2020. It is an important event to mark the passing of the document from government to the science community - from policy setting to policy implementation,” says Ms Wilkinson.

The amount of time New Zealanders spend volunteering for conservation work is exceeding expectations, with thousands of people wanting to make a difference, says Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson.

“Over the past eight months the Department of Conservation estimated individual volunteers contributed 23,241 workday equivalents when engaging in a vast number of DOC projects around the country.

“That’s about 5000 more workdays than DOC had anticipated, which is fantastic,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson says the passing of internationally regarded conservationist Don Merton is a sad loss for New Zealand, however his legacy lives on.

A senior member of the Department of Conservation’s scientific staff prior to his retirement in 2005, Don was involved in the recovery of many bird species and developed vital techniques to help threatened species.

A new independent statutory hunting body is to be established to improve the management of game animals in New Zealand, Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson and UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne announced today.

The creation of the Game Animal Council forms part of the National Government’s confidence and supply agreement with UnitedFuture.

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson has today granted approval to Crest Energy for the staged installation of up to 200 tidal turbine power generators in the Kaipara Harbour as a restricted coastal activity under the Resource Management Act.

The Environment Court last month ruled the renewable energy project could proceed, with a number of conditions attached.

“The Environment Court carefully studied the project and I agree with its report,” Ms Wilkinson says.

The protection status of Canada geese as a game bird will be changed to allow farmers, park owners and aviation managers to cull these birds themselves, Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson announced today.

Canada geese will be removed from Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Act 1953 and listed on Schedule 5. This means that Fish and Game will no longer manage the geese as a hunting resource. A permit will not be required to shoot them.

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson joined rugby icons including Sir Brian Lochore and Tane Norton today to launch the ‘Living Legends’ conservation project at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

Living Legends is a community conservation initiative that is managing 17 native tree planting projects throughout New Zealand during Rugby World Cup 2011.

Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson today called for public input into a proposed National Policy Statement on New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity announced at the Bluegreens Forum in Akaroa.

Three huge marine reserves totalling 435,163ha are to be established in the Subantarctic Islands, Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson and Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley announced today.

The Ministers’ decisions will see a marine reserve cover the entire territorial sea - out to 12 nautical miles - surrounding Antipodes Island, with two further marine reserves around the Bounty Islands and Campbell Island, covering 58 percent and 39 percent of those islands’ territorial seas respectively.

Hunters can now go on-line at any time from any computer and apply for a hunting permit on conservation land anywhere in the country, says Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson.

The Department of Conservation’s (DOC) National (on-line) Hunting Permit System is now up and running, simplifying the application process and ensuring hunters have access to all the relevant information they need.

“Hunters will be pleased to see these changes,” says Ms Wilkinson.

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson will accompany a research team to New Zealand’s remote Subantarctic Islands today as part of the joint Navy and Department of Conservation expedition, Operation Endurance.

The expedition involves a team of 14 researchers who will look into the recovery of the islands since the removal of sheep and rats and measure the benefits of previous conservation work.

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson will officially open the St James Cycle Trail tomorrow, the first of the country's ‘Great Rides' to be fully completed.

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson and Minister of Maori Affairs Dr Pita Sharples have welcomed the first graduation of 14 Maori cadets from an intensive conservation training programme that w

New Zealand's largest off-grid solar power system on Motutapu Island is complete and will be activated today.

A new national policy statement will give councils clearer direction on protecting and managing New Zealand's coastal environment, including our top surf breaks, says Minister of Conservation Kate

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson says spotlighting on public land clearly breaches firearms laws and won't be tolerated following three separate incidents over Labour Weekend, including the

The Government will spend $4 million to test out new self-resetting traps that have the potential to boost protection for New Zealand's forests and native species, Prime Minister John Key

A new 400 hectare marine reserve is to be established in the Rodney district after a successful application by the Auckland Regional Council, Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson and Minister of

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson and Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Phil Heatley today welcomed the release of the recommendation report from the West Coast Marine Protection For

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee and Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson announced today that the government has decided not to remove any land from Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Ac

Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to open your Annual General Meeting.