11. Research and Information Needs
Successful management of national parks is underpinned by a sound understanding of natural processes, of the effects of use, and of the broader contribution national parks make to New Zealand.
Research carried out within national parks will usually have direct relevance to the successful interpretation and management of them but will sometimes span other areas for comparative purposes or to better understand species, habitats and ecological processes which cross boundaries.
In no case should the research have significant adverse effects on national park values, particularly research involving any habitat modification or collection of specimens.
Research or collection in a wilderness area may be authorised by the Minister but must be necessary or desirable for the preservation of indigenous natural resources (section 14(5), National Parks Act 1980).
Research relevant to the management or interpretation of national parks may be conducted by the Department of Conservation, tangata whenua, and a wide range of other people and organisations.
Monitoring is a key type of information-gathering necessary for the long-term effective management of national parks. Systematic monitoring undertaken at appropriate intervals provides information on specific sites, specific activities, specific national parks and the whole national park network. This enables management to identify desirable changes to management and research requirements.
POLICIES
11 Research and information needs
11(a) Research and monitoring in national parks should be allowed where it:
- i) informs national park and conservation management, contributes to interpretation and education, or improves knowledge of natural processes;
- ii) does not pose unacceptable risks to, and has little adverse impact on, national park values; and
- iii) does not significantly affect the benefit, use and enjoyment of the public.
11(b) Cooperative research relationships should be fostered where outcomes are likely to inform national park or conservation management.
11(c) Mātauranga Māori and tangata whenua interests in research and monitoring relating to national parks should be recognised.
11(d) Applications for collection of material from national parks for research purposes, whether for commercial or non-commercial use, (excluding prospecting and mining covered by the Crown Minerals Act 1991), including indigenous species (or parts of them), fossilised plant or animal material, soils, rocks and any other geological materials, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Matters to be taken into account include whether:
- i) collection is consistent with legislation, the conservation management strategy, the national park management plan and the Department’s Treaty responsibilities;
- ii) collection is essential for management, research, interpretation or educational purposes;
- iii) the amounts to be collected are minor in relation to the abundance of the material;
- iv) collection could occur outside, or elsewhere within, the national park where the potential adverse effects could be significantly less; and
- v) the adverse effects on national park values of collection are minimal.
11(e) Any property rights, including intellectual property rights, in the material collected should be safeguarded for the benefit of the Crown on behalf of the people of New Zealand.
11(f) Recovery of authorisation-processing costs for research, collection or educational activities in national parks may be waived or reduced where:
- i) research or collection makes a direct contribution to the management of a national park; or
- ii research or collection contributes to departmental priority outcomes; or
- iii) research or collection is for Māori non-commercial customary purposes; or
- iv) educational activities are non-commercial.
11(g) Results of research and monitoring in national parks should be made publicly available unless withheld for a valid reason under the Official Information Act 1982.
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