What advice, if any, has the Minister received on whether the Conservation Amendment Bill changes the legal hierarchy from conservation being the primary purpose of public conservation land to one where economic use is given greater weight?

Answer

I have been advised that the proposed changes do not create an obligation on the Department of Conservation to balance conservation outcomes with economic opportunities. Conservation will remain the overarching purpose of the Act. For more information on the continued primacy of conservation, I refer the member to the advice contained in 26-M-0046 - EDS meeting memo - 20 May, which has been released on the Department’s website under reference OIAD-9292 available here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/oia-responses/2026/