Advice on Conservation Boards’ annual reports 2022-2023
17 June 2024: Read the NZCA's advice to the Minister of Conservation on the Conservation Boards’ annual reports 2022-2023

To: Hon Tama Potaka, Minister of Conservation
Date: 17 June 2024

Under section 6O of the Conservation Act 1987 (Act), each Conservation Board (Board) is
required to provide their annual report to the New Zealand Conservation Authority (Authority)
as soon as practicable after 30 June, reporting on its operations for the past financial year.
The Authority has finally received all the Conservation Boards’ annual reports for the 2022-23
financial year, and provides them to you with this letter, for your information.

The Authority’s servicing staff have undertaken an analysis of these annual reports, and have
identified several common observations, including:

  • Being an Honourable Treaty Partner and strengthening iwi relations continues
    to be a main priority for the Boards. A number of Boards have made changes to
    their structure to ensure that local iwi have a voice, and have entwined tikanga and te
    ao Māori into their CMSs to guarantee that conservation management within their
    regions is iwi and mana whenua driven.
  • The progression of Conservation Management Strategies (CMSs) is still a key priority
    for many Boards. Several Chairs have reported that Boards are growing frustrated with
    the procedural delays within the management planning environment, and they are
    keen to make progress and produce functional CMSs appropriate for their
    unique regions.
  • The Boards have reported positive outcomes from the Jobs for Nature
    programmes and strongly suggest for these fundings to be retained. These
    projects have benefited regions by enhancing local environmental conservation and
    sustainability as well as bringing new employment opportunities.
  • Funding for conservation mahi in areas such as biodiversity, biosecurity, and natural
    heritage have been advocated for by many Boards in their annual reports, along with
    their concerns regarding the cuts of such funds.
  • The Boards have had good attendance by their members at meetings,
    workshops, and fieldtrips. For the Authority, this is a welcome sign that Board
    members remain committed to their work. It is also good to see that the Boards have
    been working on strengthening relationships among themselves, meeting on several
    occasions to discuss crucial conservation issues.

The Authority note concern at the delay of a number of Boards in providing their reports in a
timely manner. Whilst the Act requires Boards to furnish their reports as soon as practicable
after 30 June each year, the majority of reports were received between December 2023 and
June 2024. The Authority is conscious about the possibility for further delays in Boards
supplying future annual reports given the current delays and lack of timely delivery.

This matter has been raised with Board Chairpersons in the past, regarding the lengthy delays
in getting the reports completed, and I will be taking it up with them again this year at the Board
Chairs’ Conference. They need to formally take on the responsibility from their servicing staff
in drafting written communications and reports, and the Department should be sufficiently
allocating resources to enable Boards and servicing staff to effectively execute their duties.

Please find enclosed the 15 Annual Reports for 2022-23 and a summary document providing
commentary of each Board’s annual report, outlining their activities and concerns raised by
the Chairperson. If you wish to be provided with more details regarding the Authority’s
relationship with Boards, I would be glad to be of assistance at a time that suits you.

 

Attachment 1: Authority analysis of Conservation Board Annual Reports 2022-2023

Te Hiku o Te Ika Conservation Board

The Te Hiku o Te Ika Conservation Board has been working primarily on the drafting the Te
Hiku CMS. In its report, the Board expressed its gratitude for the ongoing support of the Te
Hiku Iwi representative and Te Papa Atawhai throughout the years focused on the drafting of
the CMS.
The Board held three formal meetings and seven workshops during the past financial year. In
November 2022, the members of the Board also joined the Te Oneroa-aTohe Beach Cleanup, organized by Te Rarawa, which resulted in the removal of 2.8 tonnes of litter from this
seashore. The Authority notes how concerning this number is, especially considering that a
large amount of microplastic could not be collected, and appreciates the Board’s involvement
in such important initiatives.


Northland Conservation Board

The Northland Conservation Board has struggled to achieve the goals set for the past year,
due to a variety of challenges the members found themselves facing. Nonetheless, the Board
made a submission on the worrying issue of Opononi/Kohukohu discharge, which was also
presented at the hearing by one of the Board’s representatives.
The Board held nine meetings in total, being these four formal meetings and five workshops.
Among them, the Board joined the Auckland Conservation Board at Te Ao Marama Cultural
Centre Marae, Te Hana, for a successful noho wananga. The main topics of discussion during
this hui were the conservation management planning and the management of the threatening
effects of climate change. The Board also gathered at Waitangi, Northland, on 9 February in
commemoration of the signing of Te Tiriti of Waitangi.


Auckland Conservation Board

The Auckland Conservation Board has had a productive year, focused on developing its
understanding of Te Ao Māori and Treaty issues, and connecting with neighbouring Boards
such as the Te Rūnanga Papa Atawhai o Te Tai Tokerau/Northland Conservation Board. The
Board also submitted on proposals to create 19 new marine protected areas in Tīkapa
Moana/Te Moananui-āToi/the Hauraki Gulf and on a draft fisheries plan for the Gulf. As much
as the Board, the Authority is concerned for the environmental health of the Hauraki Gulf and
all the species that rely on it.
During the reporting period, the Board held five meetings and five workshops. In association
with some of its public meetings, the members undertook field trips at Fort Takapuna Historic
Reserve and the Auckland Zoo. Due to bad weather a trip to the Noises Islands planned for
December 2022 was cancelled.


Waikato Conservation Board

The Waikato Conservation Board has performed well over the last reporting year, continuing
to monitor the milestones in the Waikato CMS and making submissions on the Waikato
Regional Council’s Coastal Plan review, advocating for more marine protected areas, and to
the Hamilton’s City Plan Change 8 – Historic Heritage and Natural Environments, seeking
better funding support.
In total, the Board held four meetings and undertook a very educational field trip at Ruakuri
Cave, in the Waitomo District, where the Board had the chance to learn about the legend of
the Cave and to connect with the Te Papa Atawhai Maniapoto Team.


Bay of Plenty Conservation Board

The Bay of Plenty Conservation Board has been involved in several conservation projects
during the past year, like the Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Project and the Wallaby pest control.
Te Tapatoru A Toi Joint Advisory Committee, among whose members one represents the
Board, began to lay the foundations for the review of the Conservation Management Plan. The
komiti aims to work more collaboratively with Ngāti Awa, DOC and various stakeholders to
develop a CMP that is fit for purpose and honours the vision of the wananga. In its report, the
Board highlighted how its rohe and community greatly benefited from the Jobs for Nature
initiatives and hope, as much as the Authority, that the funding for these will continue. Beside
these successes, the Board also had its struggles to face, particularly in regard to the reoccurring storms and biosecurity challenges, like Kauri dieback.
Over the past financial year, the Board held five meetings and completed two field trips, being
these at Mataarae Marae in Reropa, joined by the local Authority’s Liaison, and in Rotorua,
where the members visited the newly installed zipline.


East Coast Hawke’s Bay Conservation Board

The East Coast Hawke’s Bay Conservation Board reported having a challenging year due to
the disruptions caused by Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle. The members of the Board have been
actively involved in recovery projects on behalf of their communities, which have been a key
focus for the Board.
The Board held five meetings and three field trips, visiting Waiohiki Maare, Te Tapuwae o
Rongokako Marine Reserve and Ahuriri Estuary. These visits are clear examples of the
Board’s commitment to maintain strong relationships with iwi and to honour Te Tiriti o
Waitangi. The role of the Board as a conduit between the community and the Department
continues to be a priority for the Board. The regular attendance of operation and governance
representatives from the Raukumara Pae Maunga project (Ngāti Porou and Te Whānau a
Apanui) is proof of this cooperation and partnership.


Tongariro Taupō Conservation Board

The Tongariro Taupō Conservation Board has carried out extensive engagement with local
iwi, by bringing them on the Board as members and co-chairs. These engagements reflect the
Board’s intent to develop a CMS that is iwi centric and addresses the unique needs of their
rohe. The Board reported to be currently in a good position, but unable to make real progress
without the resources needed to complete a strong CMS. Over the past year, the Board has
also focused on the management of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and the Chateau Tongariro,
which will continue to be priorities for the Board in the coming year.
The Board held six meetings and undertook one field trip at Kaimanawa Forest to investigate
the devastation of the beech dieback. Here, the Board also noted that more funding is needed
for the SIKA Foundation to continue their mahi in managing the worrying deer numbers in the
Forest.


Taranaki Whanganui Conservation Board

The Taranaki Whanganui Conservation Board has continued to be involved in the seabed
mining case against Trans-Tasman Resources Limited and the co-operation with the
Environmental Protection agency’s Decision-Making Committee. In their annual report, the
Board also communicated the positive outcomes that the “Jobs for Nature” programme
projects had in their region, by creating new employment opportunities and enhancing local
environmental conservation and sustainability.
During the reporting period, the Board held four well attended meetings, two in New Plymouth
and two in Whanganui. The Board continues to work towards progressing its CMS and
strengthening their relationship with the neighbouring Tongariro Taupō Conservation Board,
which will continue to be priorities for the years ahead.


Wellington Conservation Board

The Wellington Conservation Board has made structural changes, moving to a Te Tiriti o
Waitangi based co-chair model. This decision highlights the importance of the Treaty
partnership for the Board, and the members reported having already seen real benefits from
this change. Over the past year, the Board has also been strongly involved in the process of
laying the foundations for the Kapiti Island Reserve Conservation Management Plan and in
the reporting of the Wellington CMS reporting.
The Board held a total of six meetings and four field trips, among which a visit to Te Ahu a
Turanga – Manawatu Tararua Highway, where the members received a presentation on the
work being carried out on the new highway, and Ngā Rā-a-Kupe and the Putangirua
Pinnacles, to better understand how climate change is impacting areas under DOC
management.


Chatham Islands Conservation Board

The Chatham Island Conservation Board has faced a number of challenges throughout the
past year, with a community still recovering from COVID-19 lockdowns and the associated
economic downturn, and the concerning growing numbers of the wild pig (Sus Scrofa).
Regarding the latter, the Board has been cooperating with the Chatham Island Council, the
Department of Conservation, Predator Free, Chatham Islands Restoration Trust and
Environment Canterbury to identify solutions to this problem.
In total the Board held four meetings and undertook four field trips, including a visit to
Kaingaroa Farm Station, where the Board saw the efforts of Hōkotehi Trust to revegetate
marginal farmland and restore indigenous forest remnants. The Board also visited several
lakes to see the work of University of Otago limnologists investigating water quality, nutrient
cycles, food webs and the mysterious Chatham Islands mudfish (Neochanna rekohua).


Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board

The Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board continues to work with its newly adopted
Tangata Tiriti co-chair model structure, which mirrors the Board’s commitment to uphold the
Tiriti o Waitangi. Other examples of its dedication are the solid collaboration between the
Board and its Pou Tairangahau and Treaty Settlement Ranger, as well as the mahi of the
Board’s Iwi Komiti in supporting the upskilling of the Board’s members in tikanga and Te Reo
knowledge. Other significant priorities for the Board have been their outdates CMS, one of the
oldest in the motu, and the concerning reduction in wilding conifer funding, with the potential
negative impacts of wilding conifers on South Island landscapes (part of which Molesworth
Recreation Reserve).
Over the past year, the Board held six meetings and three field trips, among which a joint hui
with the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board in Karamea in October 2022, and a joint
meeting with the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board in Kaikōura in April 2023.


West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board

The West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board has had a successful year, with a positive
and fruitful cooperation among its members that resulted in the commencement of the full
CMS review. During the reporting year, the Board has also worked on reinforcing the
relationships with local iwi and communities, and adjacent Conservation Boards.
The Board held four meetings and three field trips, including a joint hui with the Nelson
Marlborough Conservation Board in Karamea, where the Boards received updates on the
redevelopment of the Ōparara Basin. In May 2023 the Board met with the families of the
victims of the Pike River Mine disaster at Pike River Mine Site, where they gave a short prayer
for the 29 men still in the mine.


Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board

The Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board has done extensive work over the past year,
raising conservation issues on various matters and providing feedback on a total of 19
applications. The Board has also continued to engage effectively with mana whenua, by
facilitating the involvement of mana whenua on field trips and enabling their perspectives to
be included in activities. In its annual report, the Board has communicated its frustration in
regard to a stalled revision of the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Plan, as well as its
concerns for the loss of funding on the biodiversity front, concern shared by the Authority.
Over the year, the Board held six meetings and three field trips, among which a joint meeting
with the Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board in Kaikōura, where the Boards visited
several pou sites and learnt about the unique history and culture of this area, thanks to the
presence of Ngāti Kurī hapu.


Otago Conservation Board

The Otago Conservation Board achieved major milestones during the past year, by completing
the Otago CMS partial review for biking and the 2016 Otago CMS Milestone reporting. The
Board has also been involved in a variety of projects on biodiversity and climate change. The
Board has highlighted in its report the need to increase of conservation funding and retain
funding for “Jobs for Nature”.
In total, the Board held four well attended meetings. The members continue to be committed
to giving genuine effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and building strong relationships with local iwi,
while keeping to work on the Southeast Marine Park with the plan to create new reserves in
the southeastern coastline.


Southland Conservation Board

The Southland Conservation Board has had a productive year, with its involvement in
important projects like the MOP (Milford Opportunities Project), the Lake2Lake cycle trail
proposal and the Subantarctic Island visitor centre. The Board has also continued its
implementation mahi for the strategies and management plans of Rakiura and Murihiku,
which, alongside the Fiordland NPMP review, continue to be delayed.
During the reporting year, the Board held six meetings and undertook three field trips, all well
attended. In October 2022 the Board visited Te Rau Aroha Marae, Bluff, and the Southern
Islands Quarantine Facility, Invercargill. These two visits were planned with the intent for the
Board to connect with mana whenua, understand their challenges and aspirations, and inform
the Authority about some of the struggles in managing the remote and pristine Southern
Islands.