Government announcements on National Priorities

Created:         30 April, 2007

Wetlands, sand dunes, and habitats of native wildlife on private land are among ecosystems identified as national priorities for protection. As announced by Ministers on 26 April 07.

The long awaited 'Statement' by Ministers is not in the form of a National Policy Statement under the Resource Management Act, rather it is a non-statutory statement which sets out the government's priorities.

"The government is calling on local authorities, landowners and communities to work together to protect our rare and threatened ecosystems and habitats that are of great value to us all as a country," said Mr Carter, the Conservation Minister .

The four national priorities are the protection of native vegetation associated with: 

1.      Land areas with only 20 per cent of their original native vegetation cover left

2.      Wetlands and sand dunes

3.      Ecosystems that have always been limited in extent, such as in geothermal areas, along coasts and on limestone formations

4.      Protection of the habitats of New Zealand's most threatened species.

 A copy of the detailed statement can be downloaded at http://www.biodiversity.govt.nz/land/guidance/

We welcome your comments on these national priorities and what they mean for local government.  Email us at info@biocommunity.org.nz