ACTION BIO-COMMUNITY - Local Capacity in Biodiversity Management

The Summit focused on the future for nature on private land, with a particular focus on the ways in which local government are and can contribute. Included in the line up of speakers were farmers, mayors and councillors, and some of the country’s top ecologists.

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Local Government NZ hosted a National Biodiversity Summit in Wellington, the event was sponsored by ABC.

The Summit attracted 200 local government mayors and councillors, chief executives and council staff, landowners, community care groups, environmental scientists and researchers from around the country.

Speakers stressed the need for councils to build good relationships with landowners, the need for greater central government funding and support, and better information about New Zealand's biodiversity and the condition it is in.

Greater Wellington chief executive, Barry Harris agreed there was no single silver bullet to halt the insidious decline of New Zealand's natural heritage. The problem demanded diverse solutions, and community-based initiatives were the key to success. Rules and regulations imposed by central government would not work, he said.

"With so much of this country's land in private ownership, the most significant gains will come from how it is managed, but that does not have to happen through a top-down approach," Harris said.

For a full copy of the press release following the Summit click on the Download below.

Download Report from the Summit »

Biodiversity Summit: Report