Minister stands by appointments

WEST COAST

CONSERVATION Minister Eugenie Sage has ruled out making further changes to the West Coast Conservation Board to satisfy iwi complaints.

Ngai Tahu members on the board are boycotting meetings after the minister’s decision to give chairman Keith Morfett a second threeyear term.

Iwi and West Coast councils have complained the current board is too ‘‘green’’, and appealed to the minister to replace members whose terms were up for review with candidates who represented the wider West Coast community.

Conservation interests have long been seen as blocking economic development on the Coast including, most recently, a hydro power station on the Waitaha River.

Ms Sage replaced longserving member Coraleen White with farmer Katie Milne, who has had a prominent role in projects to protect water quality and the environment near Lake Brunner.

However, she reappointed Dr Morfett, who was elected as chairman by members last year.

That and other concerns drew strong objections from Ngai Tahu, which said the minister had ignored the views of the Treaty partner.

Ms Sage said she was confident in the process she followed.

She said she had responded directly to the concerns raised by Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu deputy chairman Matapura Ellison.

West Coast groups argue the makeup of the board should reflect the community’s views on conservation, however the Conservation Act 1987 says in making appointments the minister must consider the interests of nature conservation, natural earth and marine sciences, recreation, tourism and ‘‘the local community including tangata whenua’’.

There was ‘‘always a balance to be struck’’ in appointing people, Ms Sage said.

Ms Milne, a former national president of Federated Farmers, would bring her experience to the board, and Ngai Tahu had the right to at least two representatives, Ms Sage said.

Ngai Tahu has been approached for comment. — Greymouth Star