Aotea Conservation Park consultation
Introduction
The Minister of Conservation opened the new Aotea Conservation Park on 10 April 2015. Consultation on the park began in 2013.The Minister of Conservation approved the proposal in July 2014 to create a conservation park on Aotea / Great Barrier Island. Work was undertaken to survey the Park and it was officially opened during 2015.
Background
- New Aotea Conservation Park approved - media release 20 July 2014
- Map of Aotea Conservation Park (PDF, 365K)
- Decision report and analysis of submissions (PDF, 3,090K)
Contact
For more information about Aotea Conservation Park contact:
Amy Bullough
Phone: +64 9 429 0044
Email: greatbarrier@doc.govt.nz
Note: Includes low quality scans.
Proposal
Submissions closed: Friday 28 February 2014
Aotea / Great Barrier Island is a unique and diverse environment and is one of the Auckland region's last great wild areas. DOC manages approximately 60% of the land on Aotea. A large part of the conservation land on the island is managed as stewardship areas.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment recently released a report on stewardship areas in New Zealand. It identified areas within the conservation estate that have significant conservation value, yet have the relatively low legal protection status of stewardship areas. In response to this report, the Minister of Conservation directed DOC to investigate changing the status of the stewardship areas on Aotea.
DOC has carefully considered possible options for changing the status of stewardship areas on the island. The most appropriate option identified is the amalgamation of all stewardship areas on Aotea into a conservation park.
Conservation parks are managed to protect their natural and historic resources, and to facilitate public recreation and enjoyment. A conservation park could have many benefits for Aotea, and could be a significant opportunity to secure its future as a local and national treasure.
Only land held under the Conservation Act will be included in the conservation park. This includes all stewardship areas, and the existing Hirakimata-Kaitoke Swamp Ecological Area and Wairahi Forest Sanctuary, which will retain their special status.
No private land or any other publicly owned land (e.g Auckland Council reserves) is involved. Changing the status of stewardship areas on Aotea will not preclude the use of the land for future Treaty of Waitangi settlements.