The New Zealand Conservation Authority's role is to advise the Minister of Conservation and the Director-General of Conservation. It is closely involved in conservation planning and policy development affecting the management of public conservation areas administered by the Department of Conservation as it approves the statutory strategies and plans which set objectives for their management.
The NZCA visits the Hakatere Conservation
Area with Canterbury Aoraki Conservation
Board members and DOC staff
The NZCA is not a board of directors with governance responsibilities.
The NZCA is serviced by the Department of Conservation.
The NZCA is a member of the the New Zealand Committee of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
Mission
To ensure for the people of New Zealand, that the richness of New Zealand’s natural and cultural heritage is valued, restored, maintained, and cared for by all, in order to enhance our environment and quality of life.
What are the functions of the NZCA?
The functions of the NZCA are set out in section 6B of the Conservation Act 1987, and the National Parks Act 1980, the Wildlife Act 1953, the Marine Reserves Act 1971, the Reserves Act 1977, the Wild Animal Control Act 1977 and the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978. It also has specified responsibilities with regard to consultation set out in the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998.
The functions that it exercises most frequently are the consideration and approval of conservation management strategies and national park management plans, proposed changes of designation of lands affecting national parks, and the provision of advice on conservation issues of national importance. It is consulted by the Department of Conservation in the formulation of policies and plans and at the beginning of its annual business planning cycle.
More information
Annual reports and meetings
Interested persons can ask to receive the notice of and agenda for each or any meeting by contacting the NZCA’s servicing officer at the address or phone number below.
Agenda papers and minutes are also available for perusal.
Each conservation board provides the NZCA with an annual report. The NZCA, in turn, reports to Parliament each year. Copies of the annual reports provide useful information on the activities of these statutory bodies and are available on request or through your library.
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