Foreword From The Director-General Of Conservation
I am pleased to present the Department of Conservation's Statement of Intent for 2005-2008.
Threatened species work remains the Department's core business. It will look closely at its threatened species recovery plans and develop frameworks to prioritise species and sites. Increasingly, the Department will be dealing with multiple threats at sites containing multiple high-value species. However, there will always be a need for intensive, single-species management in special cases, such as kakapo and black stilt (kaki). The Department's progress towards maintaining and improving ecological integrity will be demonstrated by consistent monitoring.
Representative and special marine habitats of vulnerable species will receive better protection as the Department implements the Marine Protected Areas Strategy in association with the Ministry of Fisheries. The Department will advance current proposals and existing applications for marine protected areas. The areas of unprotected marine biodiversity in the seas around New Zealand's subantarctic islands will also come under close scrutiny for protection.
The tenure review process in the eastern South Island is yielding good results for Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), the Department of Conservation and lessees. A network of high country parks is developing through the willingness of all parties to negotiate realistic outcomes. Work with LINZ, farmers and local communities will ensure long-term benefits to New Zealand and protection of the inherent conservation values of the high country.
New Zealand's tourism industry acknowledges the importance of public conservation land to their marketing and operations, with increasing demand for concessions to provide quality experiences for visiting tourists. Closer co-operation with the tourism industry will see appropriate businesses in operation that fit in with the Department's conservation mandate. Upgrading of recreation facilities will provide access to a range of natural, historic and cultural opportunities, while enhanced heritage interpretation will build awareness and understanding of conservation values.
The Department will implement the Conservation with Communities Strategy. Site specific research will help define conservation values and identify related social impacts. More research is planned on identifying the benefits derived from recreation and conservation activities and the barriers to achieving quality visitor experiences. Other social research will focus on improving and strengthening community conservation skills. Investigations will continue into determining the contribution that managing conservation lands and resources makes to the Government's wider social, cultural and economic goals.
The Department is required to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. In doing so, it will continue to develop its relationships with tangata whenua and Maori authorities around the country, who are often key stakeholders in their own right.
Through these priorities and a culture of continual improvement, the Department ensures that our natural and historic heritage will be well managed on behalf of the Government and the public of New Zealand.
Hugh Logan
Director-General
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