Proposed naming of wildlife management areas and conservation parks
Have your say on the proposed names for six new wildlife management areas and four new conservation parks in the Western South Island. Submissions close 9 September 2026.

Background and purpose

This notice relates to the naming of these areas, not to the classification. Decisions on the classification of these areas were made by the Minister of Conservation in December 2025, as part of the Western South Island stewardship land reclassification project.

Although different names were proposed as part of the initial public notification, subsequent engagement with Poutini Ngāi Tahu has identified revised names which are more appropriate.

The proposed names are:

  1. Kōtukuwhakaoka Wildlife Management Area
  2. Kakara Taramea Wildlife Management Area
  3. Kā Mata Whare Wildlife Management Area
  4. Waitangiroto Wildlife Management Area
  5. Waimatuku Wildlife Management Area
  6. Paiari Wildlife Management Area
  7. Ōmonokia Conservation Park
  8. Bell Hill Farm Conservation Park
  9. Pouerua-tāhuna Conservation Park
  10. Ngākawau Conservation Park

See further details of each proposed name and area in the attached notice:

How to make a submission

Any person or organisation may make a submission in writing on the proposal.
Submissions must provide reasons for supporting or objecting to the proposed name and if an objection is made, then an alternative name proposal may be suggested.

Submissions close Wednesday 9 September 2026.

Send your submission to:

Email: Stewardship Land Reclassification Team: stewardshiplandreclassification@doc.govt.nz  

Or

Postal: 

Attention - Joseph Zonneveld 
Senior Reclassification Adviser 
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, you need to state this in writing when making your submission.

Contact

If you have any questions about the proposed name or the process, contact the Stewardship Land Reclassification team at: stewardshiplandreclassification@doc.govt.nz