On 15 November 2024, the Government released two discussion documents that include proposals to:
- explore charging for access to some public conservation land
- streamline concessions and planning processes and enable more flexibility around land exchange and disposals.
These proposals support delivery of the Government’s priorities for the Conservation portfolio, which include generating new revenue, recalibrating costs for conservation, targeting investment into high-value conservation outcomes, strengthening relationships with Iwi/Hapū, and fixing the concessions process.
Submissions opened on 15 November 2024 and closed at 5 pm 28 February 2025.
On 2 August 2025, the Government announced that it will make changes to conservation legislation. Drafting of the Conservation Acts (Land Management) Amendment Bill is underway.
It is anticipated that the Bill will be introduced to Parliament by the end of the year. Following introduction and first reading, a Select Committee process will take place and provide an opportunity for public input on the Bill.
Exploring charging for access to some public conservation land
The Government is thinking about charging visitors a fair price to access some public conservation land, where it makes sense to do so. Charging for access is a significant opportunity for conservation, it would support a fairer user-pays system and improve the experience of all visitors to public conservation land.
This discussion document sought feedback on whether access charging is a good idea, and key design questions for an access charging system (who to charge, where to charge, how to allocate funding).
Exploring charging for access to some public conservation land: Have your say
Modernising conservation land management
Thousands of concessionaires operate on public conservation land, bringing in millions of dollars a year for local economies, connecting people with nature and supporting conservation. We know businesses, developers, infrastructure providers, farmers, researchers and community groups want shorter processing times for permissions and concessions.
There is broad agreement that the Conservation Act 1987 is outdated and complex. Out of date prescriptive plans and processes means the system has not kept pace with how people interact with public conservation land.
As a responsible land manager, the Government also wants to ensure conservation land is managed and looked after properly.
Help us modernise conservation land management: Have your say
Media releases:
- Unleashing growth on conservation land 2 August 2025
- Proposals to modernise conservation released 15 November 2024
- New priorities to protect future of conservation 3 September 2024