Pursuant to section 5(5) of the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978, and to a delegation from the Minister of Conservation, the Operations Manager, Auckland, Department of Conservation notifies they have received a permit application from Brian E Thomas to take, import and export Spotted Seal and Steller Sea Lion skins for the purpose of keeping them as personal effects in New Zealand, while relocating.
Application details
Applicant: Brian Thomas
Application number: 125705-MAR
Location of proposed activity: Palmerston North, New Zealand
Permission type: Marine Mammal Protection Act
Summary of proposal: The application seeks authority to take, import and export two personal items containing marine mammal skin – a pair of gloves incorporating Spotted Seal skin and a vest incorporating Steller Sea Lion skin – legally obtained in Alaska from authorised gift shops and sourced from subsistence hunting. The items are intended to be imported to New Zealand with the applicant's household goods and kept as personal effects while relocating.
Application documents:
How to make a submission
Any person or organisation may make a submission in writing to the Director-General on the proposal.
Submissions close 11:59pm, 15 June 2026.
1. Prepare your submission
Record what you think in the submission form.
2. Send us your submission
Send your submission by email or post. You'll get a confirmation email or letter when a submission has been received.
Email: askpermissions@doc.govt.nz
Subject line: Submission on 125705-MAR
Post:
Director-General
Department of Conservation
C/- Dean Harliwich
Christchurch Shared Services
Private Bag 4715
Christchurch Mail Centre
Christchurch 8140
Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act. If you wish to keep any part of your submission confidential, state this in writing when making your submission.
What happens next
After submissions close:
- DOC will analyse and consider all submissions and comments on the submissions.
- DOC will make a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation.
- The Minister of Conservation will make a decision on the application.
Decision
No details at this point. Details, such as submissions and the decision outcome, will be added when they are available.
Contact
If you have a question about the application or the submission process you can contact Dean Harliwich, Permissions Advisor. Email: d.harliwich@doc.govt.nz