Has the Minister assessed the impact of the Conservation Amendment Bill on Te Papakura o Taranaki, Whanganui National Park, and Whareorino Conservation Area; if so, what were those assessments?

Answer

I have received advice on how to uphold the Taranaki Maunga arrangements as set out in the Te Kāhui Tupua Act 2025. I, along with Department of Conservation officials, am continuing to engage with both Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi and Te Tōpuni Ngārahu on how best to uphold those arrangements through the Conservation Amendment Bill and the National Conservation Policy Statement. The Whanganui National Park will be subject to future collective negotiations, in the context of the revised conservation system. The Maniapoto Treaty settlement includes an overlay classification over the Whareorino Conservation Area. The Conservation Amendment Bill provides for that redress by requiring the Director-General and Minister to consider the overlay classification in their decision making.