New 10-year strategy for Wellington’s conservation areas

A new draft Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) for the Wellington, Kāpiti, Manawatū-Rangitīkei and Wairarapa regions has been lodged and the Department of Conservation is inviting people to have their say on its contents. The draft strategy is open for submissions until 4 April, 2017 and the final strategy, when approved, will give direction for DOC management of conservation resources in these areas over the next ten years. It aims to show how DOC will manage places, native plants and animals, clarifies priorities, guides decision-making on commercial activities and describes conservation outcomes to be achieved. This new strategy places more importance than ever before on collaboration and connectivity – its purpose is to establish integrated objectives and a more connected way of managing our natural places and visitor assets in collaboration with others. People are encouraged to put in submissions to support or oppose the draft policies and suggest other approaches. “If you agree with what the CMS proposes then great!” said Mr Kemper, “please put in a submission to let us know.” The boundary of this plan includes some of the most popular recreation areas in the lower North Island; the Tararua, Ruahine and Rimutaka Forest Parks. There are opportunities to comment on a wide range of proposals such as changes to visitor levels on Kāpiti and Mana island sanctuaries; improving recreation and access opportunities in forest parks; working with tangata whenua to improve story telling about their historic places; landscape scale pest control in forest areas; and identifying potential new marine protected areas. The draft strategy and information about making submissions can be found on www.doc.govt.nz/ wellington cms. Copies of the draft plan also can be viewed at the DOC offices in Wellington, Masterton, and Palmerston North. Submitters can also choose to speak in support of their submission before public hearings in May/June 2017.