12 May 2026
Tēnā koutou katoa
We have had a busy few months, with our last meeting in April being held in Dunedin, which included a field trip on the Otago Peninsula hosted by the Otago Conservation Board. This had been preceded by a visit to Fiordland for some members to look at initiatives around the Milford Opportunities Project and meet with the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation.
The Authority has also been busy making submissions on a number of Fast-track applications. The Authority is thankful to the local Conservation Boards who have also being making submissions on local projects while we focus on the projects of national importance.
Update from the April NZCA meeting
The April NZCA meeting was held in Otago at the Department’s Dunedin office. This was a great chance for the Authority to engage with the Otago Conservation Board, mana whenua and see some of the great conservation initiatives happening in the region.
The meeting was preceded by a field trip which was an opportunity to engage with DOC staff and see the wide array of both nature and heritage conservation work that is occurring. Some programmes led by DOC and others in partnership with mana whenua, local community groups and private businesses.
Otago Peninsula Field Trip
On behalf of the Authority, I would like to extend our gratitude to our hosts for the field trip, Dean Fraser (Chairperson of the Otago Conservation Board), Eleanor Kittink (DOC, Board Support Officer), and Gabe Davis (DOC, Operations Manager for Coastal Otago). It was a well organised, informative and varied trip around the Otago Peninsula.
The Authority, along with members of the Otago Conservation Board and Department staff boarded a bus from the Dunedin Department of Conservation Office and went to our first visit of the day, the Ōtākou Marae. Being a local resident and mana whenua, I was able to provide the other attendees with local history of the area on our way around the Peninsula.
Once at the Ōtākou Marae we had an update from DOC staff about the work on the South-East Marine Protection work and the newly created marine reserves around the Otago coast. It was amazing to see this work progressing, and the way the Department has worked with mana whenua in partnership. This is truly groundbreaking work, progressing a protection project which sincerely incorporated Treaty principles. It is hoped this will be an example of how the Department can do this type of work in the future.
Also, at Ōtākou Marae, the Authority were privileged to view the recovered waka found and excavated in 2014 as it was eroding from the sand-dunes at the entrance to the Papanui Inlet. Rachel Wesley (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe, Waitaha) an archaeologist undertaking her doctorate, a member of the Māori Heritage Council at Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, as well as a Board member at Tūhura Otago Museum, spoke to the Authority about the discovery and ongoing conservation work.
Next the Authority visited the Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head, where we had lunch and then toured the site. Department staff member Sharyn Broni (DOC, Ranger) who has been working based at the centre for the last 28 years, gave a presentation on the conservation history and efforts for the endangered Toroa, Northern Royal Albatross, and the challenges they faced. We were very fortunate to be able to see two chicks on their nests sitting only about 20 – 25m from the viewing chamber.
The Authority next visited OPERA, the Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance, which is a privately owned wildlife refuge and restoration project. Their work has been integral in the survival of the endangered Hoiho penguin, through establishing a rehabilitation hospital for their recovery, as well as helping to protect many other endemic species. They have an interesting model using their tourism ventures to fund their conservation work and they work with several like-minded organisations to support their mission.
The final site visit of the day was to McMeekings Historic Farmstead, where Matt Schmidt (DOC Senior Heritage Advisor) explained the work the Department had been undertaking. The goal is to restore the buildings on the site and to give them a new purpose and potentially generate revenue for visitors to stay at the site, as the location of this is along the Highcliff walking track and connects to conservation lands on that part of the Peninsula.
Fiordland Visit
Some members of the Authority visited Fiordland in the days preceding the April meeting. This trip included a visit to Milford Sound to see the work and sites associated with the Milford Opportunities Project. We also met with the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation to better understand their work and connection between hunting and conservation, which is especially timely given the Department’s work on HOSI. The members that attended found this was a worthwhile trip and feel they are now better informed of the issues for the area.
Senior Leadership update
Penny Nelson (DOC, Director General) was unable to attend the meeting this month, but Mike Tully (DOC, Deputy Director-General Organisation Support) from the Department’s Senior Leadership Team attended in her stead. Mike gave the Authority updates on some of the Department’s current work programme and priorities.
The Conservation Act (Land Management) Amendment Bill (CALM) was introduced to house last week where it will be referred to the Environment Select Committee shortly after. Byran Dunne (DOC, Deputy Director-General Policy) has asked to have a regular session at meetings going forward to keep the Authority up to date throughout this process, and the Authority appreciates the proactive approach taken by Bryan and his team to engage with the Authority on this matter.
Given the current fuel crisis the Department is making plans around reducing fuel consumption to combat the price increase. The four areas of interest in this plan are petrol, diesel, helicopters, and travel. Flexible working and virtual meetings are being encouraged for staff and key conservation work will be prioritised.
Farewell to Rick McGovern-Wilson
The meeting in April marked Rick McGovern-Wilson’s final NZCA meeting as Executive Officer. Rick is retiring at the end of May after working for the Department for the past 12 years and attending 75 Authority meetings in total. We have greatly appreciated his vast knowledge and extensive experience, and on behalf of the Authority I would like to thank Rick for his service.
The next Authority meeting will be held on 10 – 11 June 2026 in Wellington.
No reira
E noho ora mai
Edward Ellison ONZM
Chairperson NZCA