1.0 The nature and scope of the Department's functions
The Department of Conservation is the central government organisation charged with conserving the natural and historic heritage of New Zealand on behalf of, and for the benefit of, present and future New Zealanders. This role is reflected in the Department's Māori name - Te Papa Atawhai. Te Papa signifies a box or container (for taonga or treasures) and atawhai the act of caring, nurturing or preserving.
The Minister of Conservation is the Responsible Minister, and the Department's work is funded through Vote Conservation.
The Department was established by the Conservation Act 1987, and its key functions are set out in that Act. It also has functions under a number of other Acts, including the National Parks Act 1980, the Reserves Act 1977, the Wildlife Act 1953, and the Marine Mammals Protection Act 19781.
The Department interprets and administers the Conservation Act to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in accordance with section 4 of the Act.
Much of the Department's work takes place on the more than 8 million hectares of protected land and 32 marine reserves that it manages. The protected land makes up about one-third of the country, and includes national parks, forest parks, offshore and subantarctic islands and literally thousands of other places, such as historic sites and walkways.
The Department is responsible for fostering recreation opportunities on the lands and waters it manages. To that end, it provides and manages visitor facilities, including walking tracks, huts, campsites and visitor centres.
The Conservation Act contains a concessions framework under which the Department may authorise tourism operators and other third party activities and uses on public conservation lands and waters, such as grazing rights and telecommunication sites.
Some of the Department's functions go beyond the boundaries of public conservation lands and waters. It works to protect indigenous freshwater fisheries, and recreational fisheries and freshwater habitats, and is responsible for conserving indigenous wildlife wherever it lives. It advocates generally for the conservation of natural and historic resources, provides conservation information, and promotes the benefits of conservation.
The Department provides policy advice to the Minister of Conservation on conservation issues and legislation. This includes advice on the Minister's responsibilities under the Resource Management Act 1991 for the marine and coastal environment.
1. For further information see Appendix 1: Legislation and international agreements.