4. Preservation of Indigenous Species, Habitats, Ecosystems and Natural Features

New Zealand's indigenous species, habitats, ecosystems and natural features and their preservation are internationally important. Many of the country's indigenous species are endemic (they are found nowhere else on Earth). The uniqueness of many of New Zealand's indigenous plants and animals means that responsibility for their continued existence is entirely ours.

National parks are places where special emphasis is given by legislation to the preservation of indigenous species:

• "Except where the Authority otherwise determines, the native plants and animals of the parks shall as far as possible be preserved and the introduced plants and animals shall as far as possible be exterminated:" (section 4(2)(b), National Parks Act 1980)

Because of their size and diversity, national parks will always be key places where much of New Zealand's land and freshwater biodiversity is maintained.

Policies in this chapter apply principally to land and freshwater species, habitats and ecosystems. There is no provision in the National Parks Act 1980 for protection of marine ecosystems. However, where national parks are adjacent to protected marine areas, the principles of integrated conservation management would enable a 'mountains to sea' approach to be taken for the benefit of conservation.

For the great majority of species, it is not practicable to address their needs directly within individual species management programmes, particularly for the very large number of indigenous invertebrates and soil organisms. Consequently, the maintenance and restoration of the full range of indigenous habitats and ecosystems within national parks will be the prime means of preserving indigenous species.

Many introduced plants and animals pose serious threats to the survival of indigenous species and the functioning of indigenous ecosystems in national parks. Plant and animal pests are increasing in both number and distribution and have become a pervasive obstacle to the preservation of indigenous plants and animals and ecosystem functions in national parks.

The Authority affirms that the immediate objective is to reduce by all available means introduced species to a level where they do not impede the preservation of the indigenous species within a national park. To the extent identified elsewhere in this General Policy, this objective does not apply to the extermination of salmonids and introduced game birds. The extermination of other introduced animals in national parks, and in particular areas within national parks, should be undertaken if this is possible.

There should be a strong emphasis on comprehensive biosecurity and pest management planning and on timely and, where appropriate, rapid intervention to prevent the introduction or spread of introduced plant and animal pests that pose serious risks to national park values. This includes the evaluation of biosecurity risks from all national park operations (e.g. machinery brought into a national park), as well as the direct threats from existing introduced plants and animals. In addition to the provisions of the National Parks Act 1980 and other conservation legislation, the Biosecurity Act 1993 provides a variety of tools for use in the exclusion, eradication and control of pests and unwanted organisms.

No person is allowed to disturb, trap, take, hunt or kill any indigenous animal, including fish, within a national park without the prior consent of the Minister (section 5(2), National Parks Act 1980). Any consent must be consistent with the national park management plan. The collection and handling of species protected under the Wildlife Act 1977 also requires consent under that Act. The take of indigenous species is not generally consistent with the preservation ethic.

National parks have been set aside to preserve in perpetuity, areas of New Zealand that contain scenery of such distinctive quality, and natural features so beautiful, unique or scientifically important that their preservation is in the national interest. (section 4(1), National Parks Act 1980)

The National Parks Act 1980 also states that national parks shall be so administered and maintained that "their value as soil, water and forest conservation areas shall be maintained:" (section 4(2)(d), National Parks Act 1980). Healthy natural ecosystems provide benefits that are not well known and often undervalued. These benefits are sometimes referred to as 'ecosystem services' and include carbon absorption, clean water, landscape stability, soil conservation, reduced flooding and sediment generation, and amenity values.

Fire control is a legislative responsibility of the Department under the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977.

back to top