Last month, NZDA alerted members to the Government's proposed Conservation Amendment Bill and advised that we were undertaking a detailed review of both the Bill and the proposed National Conservation Policy Statement.
Since then, our National Access Committee volunteers, alongside our partners across the recreation sector, have been working hard behind the scenes.
This is a big update, and we hope you'll take the time to read it in full. If you're short on time, here's a quick glance:
- Submissions are now open and close 2 July 2026.
- NZDA National President Callum Sheridan spoke to RNZ this week, making clear that public conservation land must stay in public ownership.
- NZDA's National Access Committee has completed a detailed review of the Bill (linked further down).
- We've been working with a coalition of recreation organisations on a joint submission.
- Our bottom line: public conservation land must stay in public ownership, and that means protecting public hunting access.
National Attention
The Bill has attracted significant national media attention following the release of maps showing areas of conservation land that could potentially become eligible for exchange or disposal under the proposed reforms.
NZDA National President Callum Sheridan was interviewed by RNZ this week, reinforcing NZDA's position that while sensible improvements to conservation management are welcome, public conservation land should remain in public ownership.
Read the RNZ article: Maps reveal where conservation land could be sold off after Government reforms
"National president Callum Sheridan said the organisation has many concerns about the bill."
While NZDA and Forest & Bird often disagree on conservation policy, this is one issue where we agree. Public conservation land should remain a public asset, held in trust for future generations of New Zealanders.
For hunters, protecting public land means protecting public hunting access.
What NZDA Has Been Doing
Since our May update, NZDA's National Access Committee has undertaken a comprehensive review of the Bill and developed detailed recommendations from a recreational hunting and public access perspective. Those recommendations will form the basis of NZDA's submission to the Select Committee.
At the same time, NZDA has been working with other national recreation organisations on a coordinated response.
Next week, NZDA will join other recreational focused organisations, like Federated Mountain Clubs who represent trampers, and a broad coalition of recreation and public land user organisations to formulate a joint submission covering the issues we collectively agree on. This collaborative approach follows the successful model used during the recent Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill reforms, where the recreation sector worked together to advocate for practical improvements and made an impact on that bill.
NZDA's Priorities
Our submission priorities will focus on protecting the things that matter most to hunters:
- Keeping public conservation land in public ownership.
- Protecting public hunting access for future generations.
- Opposing unnecessary disposal of public conservation land.
- Ensuring recreational hunting and public access remain recognised values of the conservation estate.
- Preferring long-term concession and lease arrangements over the permanent sale of public conservation land.
- Ensuring commercial activity does not come at the expense of public recreation and hunting opportunities.
What Happens Next
The technical work is well underway. Attached is a discussion paper prepared by NZDA's National Access Committee as part of its review of the Conservation Amendment Bill.
NZDA National Access Committee: Discussion Paper
The paper outlines the key issues identified from a recreational hunting and public access perspective and will help inform NZDA's submission to the Environment Select Committee.
It should be read as a working discussion document, not NZDA's final submission.
As outlined above, NZDA is continuing to refine its position through discussions with our National Access Committee and alongside other recreational organisations as part of the joint submission process.
We welcome constructive feedback from members as we finalise NZDA's submission and continue advocating for the protection of public conservation land and hunting access.
Over the coming fortnight, NZDA will now step up its advocacy campaign. We'll continue working alongside our recreation sector partners, engage with decision-makers, keep members informed as our submission is finalised, and encourage hunters to make their own submissions before 2 July.
We'll also continue providing updates as the Bill progresses through Parliament.
Thank you to our National Access Committee volunteers for the significant work already completed on reviewing this legislation, and to the many recreation organisations working together to ensure the voice of public land users is heard.
We'll keep fighting to protect New Zealand's public conservation land and the hunting opportunities it provides for current and future generations.
Conservation Amendment Bill
Submissions Close: 2 July 2026
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.
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:
- Landmark Conservation Reform Bill will boost economy and protect nature, Beehive.govt.nz
- Conservation Amendment Bill, New Zealand Legislation
- Conservation Amendment Bill factsheet (PDF, 190K)
- Conservation Amendment Bill, New Zealand Parliament
National Conservation Policy Statement
Submissions close: 10 August 2026. This has been extended from the initial closing date of 9 July 2026.
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) is seeking feedback from the public on the proposed content of the first NCPS.
Proposal document:
Make a Submission on the NCPS
Send your submission by email or post. You'll get a confirmation email or letter when a submission has been received.
Email: landlegislation@doc.govt.nz
Post:
Department of Conservation
PO Box 10420
Wellington 6140
