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Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith today released New Zealand’s rarest kiwi chick – the first from a Rowi breeding programme – onto Mana Island – a predator-free kiwi sanctuary off the Kapiti Coast.

Government is giving councils greater delegated powers on how they manage more than 7000 reserves around New Zealand, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Chris Tremain announced today.

“This change is about recognising that local councils and their elected local representatives are better placed to make decisions on local reserves than government departments and ministers. This reform will reduce bureaucracy and give local communities more say and greater flexibility about how reserves are managed,” Dr Smith says.

Environment Minister Amy Adams and Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith have today announced that the Tukituki Catchment Proposal will be directed to an independent Board of Inquiry.

The proposal by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company is made up of two components.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council requested that both components should be referred to a Board of Inquiry for a decision.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy and Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith have today announced an interim response to the report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment on longfin eels.

“The longfin eel is the largest freshwater eel in the world, has a fascinating lifecycle and is found only in New Zealand. We are committed to ensuring its long-term survival and are taking seriously the concerns raised in the Parliamentary Commission for the Environment’s report,” the Ministers say.

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith is today and tomorrow visiting the Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks before deciding whether or not to approve the Milford Dart Tunnel.

“This is a significant decision in which there are strongly held opposing views. I am taking very seriously my responsibilities to make a carefully considered decision,” Dr Smith says.

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith today announced his approval under the Crown Minerals Act for an access agreement for Bathurst Resources for its Escarpment Mining Project on the Denniston Plateau, near Westport.

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith and Environment Minister Amy Adams today welcomed a report proposing a way to manage the contentious land intensification, water, landscape, and biodiversity issues in the Mackenzie Basin.

“This report is the result of a collaborative process by more than 30 groups and individuals working together to develop options for the future of the basin,” the Ministers say.

A rare fragment of Banks Peninsula has been purchased by the Government and two trusts as a Scenic Reserve, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today.

Associate Conservation Minister Peter Dunne has welcomed a High Court judgement dismissing a claim that he was biased in his approach to heli-hunting.

“While no Minister ever wants a judicial review of their decisions, I was always confident that the integrity and reasonableness of the decisions I made would stand up to scrutiny.

“The judgement is very clear-cut and my decisions were vindicated by Justice Kos on every point,” Mr Dunne said.

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith tonight launched a fundraising campaign to help create a wildlife sanctuary in a former council water reserve in Nelson’s Brook Valley.

“The sanctuary is a community-led initiative to create a safe haven for endangered birdlife including the New Zealand falcon, yellow-crowned parakeets, weka and robins. The pest-free environment will also benefit the more than 250 species of native flora and fauna, including mature beech forest and occasional huge podocarps,” Dr Smith said.

An additional $20 million over four years has been allocated to the Department of Conservation in Budget 2013 to provide for additional frontline roles and the upgrade of recreational facilities, Conservation Minister Nick Smith announced today.

“The four year funding package complements the Government’s recently announced tourism investment. It recognises that DOC is the Government’s primary agency responsible for providing infrastructure, visitor services and nature-based experiences that support the tourism industry,” Dr Smith says.

Conservation Minister Nick Smith today congratulated Al Morrison on his appointment as a Deputy Commissioner at the State Services Commission and thanked him for his 11 years of service at the Department of Conservation.

“Al Morrison has been an outstanding leader of the Department of Conservation and has led new thinking in the way in which New Zealand values and manages its natural assets,” Dr Smith said.

The full Tongariro Alpine Crossing will re-open early next month in time for the winter trekking season, Conservation Minister Nick Smith announced today.

“The Department of Conservation is satisfied that the risks of future volcanic activity has dropped to a sufficiently low level that the full Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be re-opened. This decision has been made on the basis of risk assessments by GNS Science and peer reviewed by experts from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park,” Dr Smith said.

A new marine reserve in Akaroa Harbour has been approved by Conservation Minister Nick Smith.

“Akaroa is an iconic harbour that is hugely popular for recreation and tourism but its marine life is degraded. I have approved this new reserve around the spectacular Dan Rogers Bluff because it will enhance the area, assist scientific study and benefit the public,” Dr Smith said.

Options to re-open the full Tongariro Alpine Crossing for next summer after last year’s eruptions are being explored by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith, GNS Science, DOC staff, iwi, Taupo MP Louise Upston and representatives of the local tourism industry, during a visit over the weekend.

New Zealand’s green geckos will be given greater protection against smuggling following a decision at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) conference in Bangkok, Minister of Conservation Nick Smith announced today.

Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith today announced at the Bluegreens Forum in Levin he has formally approved the new Kahurangi, Punakaiki, Okarito, Tauparikaka and Hautai marine reserves totalling 17,500 hectares on the West Coast.

A 10-year partnership signed today between the Department of Conservation and Fonterra to restore waterways in Northland, Waikato, Canterbury and Southland is a major breakthrough, says Conservation Minister Hon Dr Nick Smith.

“Fonterra’s commitment of $20m is the largest ever corporate contribution to conservation work. It will fund a massive programme to be undertaken with communities to restore wetland habitats, better control nutrients, reduce pests and weeds and enhance native wildlife,” Dr Smith says.

New Zealand will have access to shipping services from larger vessels with the granting of resource consents to widen and deepen the Port of Tauranga, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today.

“I have granted these consents, on the recommendation of the Environment Court, because of the importance for New Zealand of efficient shipping services. The comprehensive conditions in place will ensure the environment is protected,” Dr Smith says.

The final report of the Board of Inquiry on New Zealand King Salmon’s application to develop new marine farms in the Marlborough Sounds was welcomed today by Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith.

“The Board has undertaken a thorough process being mindful of the need for New Zealand to conserve its natural resources with the need to grow exports, jobs and wealth,” Dr Smith says.

Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith has welcomed the opening of the first buckets of 45,000 litres worth of paint provided by Dulux under a new $1.5 million conservation partnership announced today.

“It’s fantastic to have Dulux on board to help DOC with the challenge of maintaining our 973 backcountry huts. This will enable DOC to accelerate its maintenance programme and ensure the 300,000 New Zealanders and visitors who use these huts each year continue to enjoy quality accommodation,” Dr Smith says.

Proposals for the Milford Dart Tunnel through Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks and the Fiordland Link Experience of a catamaran, all-terrain vehicle track and monorail through the Snowdon Forest are to be determined by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith.

The $1 million partnership between DOC and Air New Zealand to bring some of our most threatened birds back to our acclaimed Great Walks track network is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when business gets involved in conservation, says Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith.

“This is an inspiring partnership that benefits both conservation and tourism. It will create predator free zones for some of our most threatened birds while adding to the visitor experience on our most famous Great Walks,” says Dr Smith.

Critically endangered plants and a rare limestone ecosystem have been protected through the purchase of a 20 hectare reserve at Gards Road, near Duntroon in the Waitaki Valley, Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith announced today.