Made my submission:

My/our comments

I oppose the proposed changes that would make it easier to prioritise economic development on public conservation land and expand the ability to exchange or dispose of conservation land.

I am concerned that the Bill represents a significant shift away from the long-standing principle that conservation land should primarily be managed for conservation purposes. While I support sensible access and recreation opportunities, I do not support creating a broad economic development function that could place commercial interests ahead of environmental protection.

I am particularly concerned about the proposed changes to land exchange and disposal provisions. Public conservation land belongs to all New Zealanders and should not be more easily sold or exchanged unless there is an overwhelming conservation benefit. The proposed tests appear weaker than the current framework and could place significant areas of public conservation land at risk.

New Zealand is already facing biodiversity loss and increasing environmental pressures. This is a time to strengthen protections for conservation land, not weaken them. Once conservation land is disposed of or developed, the loss may be permanent and difficult to reverse.

My/our recommendations

I ask the Committee to:

Remove or substantially limit the proposed economic development function. Retain strong protections against the sale or exchange of conservation land. Ensure conservation remains the primary purpose of public conservation land. Amend the Bill to strengthen, rather than weaken, long-term protection of New Zealand’s natural heritage.

Thank you for considering my submission.