Conservation Act 1987
Encyclopedia
The Conservation Act 1987 is New Zealand
's principal act concerning the conservation of indigenous biodiversity. The Act established the Department of Conservation and Fish and Game
, and complements the National Parks Act 1980
and the Reserves Act 1997.
The Conservation Act and the management strategies (CMS) and plans (CMPs) that are created under it have the overriding principle of "protection". This is contrasted with the overriding principle of New Zealand's most important planning statute, the Resource Management Act 1991, which is "sustainable management" (s5, Resource Management Act 1991). Whilst there is often overlap between the RMA and the Conservation Act, the principle of protection has primacy over that of sustainable management.
The Conservation Act also sets up a hierarchy of consideration of activities occuring on public conservation land under s6(e):
to the extent that the use of any natural or historic resource for recreation or tourism is not inconsistent with its conservation, to foster the use of natural and historic resources for recreation, and to allow their use for tourism
This hierarchy places the greatest weight on intrinsic value, followed by non-commercial recreation, and then by tourism. An important role in conservation advocacy in New Zealand is ensuring that these three separate considerations are maintained, rather than blurred.
National Parks retain a separate Act of parliament, which sets up a similar, but more stringent planning regime. See National Parks Act 1980.
The Act also sets out a number of Specially protected areas:
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's principal act concerning the conservation of indigenous biodiversity. The Act established the Department of Conservation and Fish and Game
Fish and Game New Zealand
Fish and Game New Zealand is a statutory body set up to advocate for recreational hunting and fishing in New Zealand.It was set up under the Conservation Act 1987 with the statutory responsibility for the sports of freshwater sport fishing and gamebird hunting...
, and complements the National Parks Act 1980
National Parks Act 1980 (New Zealand)
The National Parks Act is an Act of Parliament passed in New Zealand in 1980. It repealed the National Parks Act 1952.-See also:*National parks in New Zealand*Tramping in New Zealand*List of Statutes of New Zealand-External links:*...
and the Reserves Act 1997.
The Conservation Act and the management strategies (CMS) and plans (CMPs) that are created under it have the overriding principle of "protection". This is contrasted with the overriding principle of New Zealand's most important planning statute, the Resource Management Act 1991, which is "sustainable management" (s5, Resource Management Act 1991). Whilst there is often overlap between the RMA and the Conservation Act, the principle of protection has primacy over that of sustainable management.
The Conservation Act also sets up a hierarchy of consideration of activities occuring on public conservation land under s6(e):
to the extent that the use of any natural or historic resource for recreation or tourism is not inconsistent with its conservation, to foster the use of natural and historic resources for recreation, and to allow their use for tourism
This hierarchy places the greatest weight on intrinsic value, followed by non-commercial recreation, and then by tourism. An important role in conservation advocacy in New Zealand is ensuring that these three separate considerations are maintained, rather than blurred.
National Parks retain a separate Act of parliament, which sets up a similar, but more stringent planning regime. See National Parks Act 1980.
The Act also sets out a number of Specially protected areas:
- Conservation parks
- Wilderness areas
- Ecological areas
- Sanctuary areas
- Watercourse areas
- Amenity areas
- Wildlife management areaWildlife Management AreaWildlife Management Areas are protected areas set aside in for the conservation of wildlife and for recreational activities involving wildlife.-United States:In the U.S., WMAs exist in the following states:* Alabama* Florida* Georgia* Louisiana...
s
See also
- Minister of ConservationMinister of Conservation (New Zealand)The Minister of Conservation is a minister in the government of New Zealand with responsibility for the Department of Conservation.The Loder Cup awarded for conservation is presented by the minister.-List of past ministers:-External links:...
- Conservation in New ZealandConservation in New ZealandConservation in New Zealand has a history associated with both Māori and Europeans. Both groups of people caused a loss of species and both amended their behaviour after realising their effect on indigenous flora and fauna.-Protected areas:...