12. Research and Information Needs
Successful management of public conservation lands and waters requires a sound understanding of the patterns and processes of the natural world, of the impacts of use, and of the broader contribution these places make to New Zealand.
POLICIES
12 Research and Information Needs
12 (a) Research and monitoring on public conservation lands and waters should be allowed where it:
- i. informs conservation management or contributes to interpretation and education, or improves knowledge of natural processes;
- ii. its effects are consistent with the statutory purposes for which the place is held;
- iii. has no significant adverse effect on the enjoyment of the public; and
- iv. does not pose unacceptable risks to natural, historical and cultural heritage.
12 (b) Cooperative research relationships should be fostered where outcomes are likely to inform conservation management.
12 (c) Mātauranga Māori and tangata whenua interests in research and monitoring on public conservation lands and waters, species and resources should be recognised and may be supported by cooperative arrangements.
12 (d) Applications for the collection of material from public conservation lands and waters, whether for commercial or non-commercial use (excluding prospecting and mining covered by the Crown Minerals Act 1991), including indigenous species (or parts thereof), fossilised plant or animal material, soils, rocks and any other geological materials will be considered on a case by case basis. Criteria include:
- i. collection is consistent with legislation, conservation management strategies and plans and the Department's Treaty responsibilities;
- ii. collection is essential for either management, research, interpretation or educational purposes;
- iii. the amounts to be collected are small in relation to the abundance of the material;
- iv. whether collection could occur outside or elsewhere within public conservation lands and waters where the potential adverse effects could be significantly less; and
- v. there are minimal adverse effects from collection.
12 (e) Any property rights, including intellectual property rights, should be safeguarded for the benefit of the Crown, on behalf of the people of New Zealand.
12 (f) Recovery of authorisation costs for research, collection or educational activities may be waived or reduced where either:
- i. research or collection makes a direct contribution to management; or
- ii. research or collection supports departmental priority outcomes; or
- iii. research or collection is for non-commercial Māori customary use; or
- iv. educational activities are non-commercial.
12 (g) Results of research and monitoring on public conservation lands and waters should be made publicly available unless withheld for good reason under the Official Information Act 1982.
12 (h) Management actions should be monitored and evaluated at regular intervals to assess their effectiveness and inform future management decisions.
12 (i) Any information collected or research undertaken by the Department requiring access to private land will only be carried out with the agreement of the landowner. The information and research results will be made available to the landowner.
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