24/06/2026
Kia ora whaanau,
Ngāti Tamainupō has recently submitted on the proposed Conservation Amendment Bill and National Conservation Policy Statement (NCPS) and wanted to share a brief overview of why this kaupapa is important.
While the Bill is intended to streamline conservation management, some of the proposed changes could have implications for whenua, cultural landscapes, Te Tiriti obligations and mana whenua relationships with our ancestral places.
Some of the concerns raised in our submission include:
• Increased ability for conservation land to be exchanged or disposed of.
• Greater emphasis on commercial activity and development within conservation lands.
• More centralised planning and decision-making.
• Reduced opportunities for mana whenua involvement through exempt and pre-approved activities.
• Limited recognition of cultural landscapes, wāhi tapu, wāhi tūpuna and mana whenua aspirations.
We also believe that if land exchanges are being considered, opportunities to return whenua to iwi and hapū should be explored before any commercial interests are considered.
For Ngāti Tamainupō, this kaupapa is not only about conservation. It is about protecting our relationship with whenua, wai and taiao, recognising our cultural landscapes, supporting future generations, and ensuring mana whenua remain active participants in decisions affecting our pou whenua.
If any whaanau wish to make their own submission, we encourage you to do so. Individual submissions are important.
Some simple points you may wish to support include:
* Protect conservation land from disposal or commercialisation.
* Strengthen Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
* Prioritise the return of whenua to iwi and hapū where land exchanges are proposed.
* Support direct relationships with mana whenua through Kawenata, Service Level Agreements and iwi/hapū management plans.
* Protect cultural landscapes alongside ecological values.
* Support mana whenua-led conservation, restoration and cultural recognition initiatives.
You can find information and make a submission here:
https://www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/54SCENV_SCF_BD7D0F89-D8CB-42F7-9C5F-08DEABEDA048/conservation-amendment-bill
Submissions close on 2 July 2026
Ngā mihi.
Public submissions are now being invited on this Bill
