Conservation law change puts Hawke’s Bay treasures at risk of losing safeguards, conservationists say

Changes to New Zealand's Conservation Act could put treasured regional landscapes at risk, conservationists are warning.

Elvisa Van Der Leden, acting regional conservation manager for Forest & Bird in Hawke's Bay, stated that the proposed amendments, as they currently stand, could open the door to selling or exchanging land, such as the Ahuriri Estuary, for private development. This possibility has raised significant concerns among environmental groups.

However, local Members of Parliament representing Hawke's Bay have dismissed these fears. They assert there is no reason to believe that the region's cherished natural areas will be sold as part of the government's broader plans to reform the Conservation Act. Despite these assurances, Forest & Bird maintains that the region has cause for concern, particularly regarding the specific implications of the law changes on protected lands.

“

As they stand, the changes to the Conservation Act would open the door to allow places such as Ahuriri Estuary to be sold or exchanged for private development.