The NZCA's role in the Kauri National Park Process
Since the passing of the first National Parks Act in 1952, there has been a national citizen body with functions and powers relating to national parks. Since 1990 the New Zealand Conservation Authority has had this citizen body role. This reflects the view of Parliament and the people of New Zealand that national parks are national treasures and transcend party politics.
As well as this 'national' importance, the intricate and intrinsic connections of local communities with national parks is recognised. This includes both tangata whenua whose connection with the lands and waters of the national parks stretch back hundreds of years, and more recent immigrants to New Zealand whose associations with those lands and waters are of a different nature.
A national park can only be established, or added to, on the recommendation of the New Zealand Conservation Authority. And only the New Zealand Conservation Authority can kick off the process to establish or add to a national park.
In its 2008 general election manifesto, the National Party undertook to investigate the merits of establishing a national park in the kauri forests of Northland. After National formed the Government that year, the Minister of Conservation asked the New Zealand Conservation Authority to start the investigation process.
Earlier that same year, Te Roroa iwi reached a final settlement with the Crown of its Treaty claims and this settlement Act provided a framework within which Te Roroa, the New Zealand Conservation Authority, the Northland Conservation Board and the Department of Conversation could each consider and discuss the proposal.
The Department and Te Roroa worked together to identify conservation land within the rohe of Te Roroa which they both thought could be suitable for national park status and they recommended that that be the area investigated. The core of the area is Waipoua Forest; the home of Tane Mahuta and other kauri giants.
The New Zealand Conservation Authority accepted their recommendation.
The investigation itself is undertaken by the Department of Conservation in the name of its Director-General under the National Parks Act 1980.
When the Department has completed its investigation, the Director-General of Conservation reports to the New Zealand Conservation Authority on the findings, and makes recommendations.
Once the New Zealand Conservation Authority receives the report it follows a process that will enable it to make a well-informed decision about what to recommend to the Minister of Conservation.
The New Zealand Conservation Authority has a particular duty to consult Te Roroa about the values that the Authority identifies within a core area of special significance to Te Roroa known as Te Tarehu which covers most of the Waipoua Forest.
The New Zealand Conservation Authority has 13 members. They are:
- Kay Booth of Nelson, Chairperson
- Jo Breese of Wellington
- Ian Buchanan of Greytown
- Mike Clout of Auckland
- Sandra Cook of Otautau
- Waana Davis of Lower Hutt
- Judy Hellstrom of Picton
- Gerry McSweeney of Arthur's Pass
- Warren Parker of Rotorua
- Yvonne Sharp of Kerikeri
- Brian Stephenson of Auckland
- John Thorburn of Christchurch
- Hally Toia of Dargaville
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