Conservation Amendment Bill & National Conservation Policy Statement Consultation
Bill Submissions are yet to open & National Conservation Policy Statement submissions are due 9th July 2026
A reform to conservation law is now underway that will shape how public conservation land is managed in New Zealand for years to come.
The Government has introduced the Conservation Amendment Bill, currently before Parliament and progressing through Select Committee. At the same time, the Department of Conservation has now opened consultation on the first National Conservation Policy Statement (NCPS), which will set the national policy direction that sits underneath the proposed new legislative framework.
Together, these two processes represent a major overhaul of how conservation land is planned, managed, and accessed.
Key elements of the Bill include:
-
Streamline the planning framework to improve efficiency and better enable economic activity on conservation land.
-
Allow for more efficient and effective processing of concession applications, and ongoing management of concessions.
-
Enable greater flexibility to exchange and dispose of conservation land.
-
Provide clarity on te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi (Treaty) obligations.
-
Increase revenue to help maintain and enhance the visitor experience on conservation land.
What is NZDA Doing:
NZDA is currently reviewing both the Conservation Amendment Bill and the NCPS proposals in detail. We will be making a detailed submission that reflects the interests of recreational hunters as long term contributors and users of public conservation land.
Conservation Amendment BillCall for submissions has not yet been made by the select committee, we will inform you of when they open.
Select committee process
Now that the Bill has been introduced, the select committee process provides an opportunity for people to provide feedback on the Bill. Opening and closing dates, and relevant links are yet to be provided by the select committee.
Following select committee, there will be a further two readings in Parliament before potentially becoming law.
More information about the Bill and its progress through Parliament can be found below:
National Conservation Policy Statement
Consultation on the first National Conservation Policy Statement
A key component of the proposed reforms is the development of a National Conservation Policy Statement (NCPS), which will replace the current Conservation General Policy and General Policy for National Parks.
The NCPS will be secondary legislation that will be created following passage of the Bill. The Department of Conservation (DOC) will soon be seeking feedback from the public on the proposed content of the first NCPS, as set out in a proposal document (dates to be confirmed).
Proposal document:
Join NZDA To Help Us Advocate on Your Behalf
