Last November, the Minister of Conservation, Tama Potaka, called for public feedback on two discussion documents that include proposals to change the management of the conservation system, and to consider implementing fees for access to certain areas of the conservation estate.

We have until 5 pm Friday, February 28 to have a say.

The government is undertaking a comprehensive reform of conservation legislation. Currently, it is consulting on a set of targeted amendments to legislation regarding conservation management planning, and the concessions system.

Ngāi Tahu is mounting a legal challenge to the (former) Minister of Conservation's appointment decisions for the West Coast Conservation Board. It appears the iwi has a beef with the Minister for having the impudence to reappoint a member of the board without engagement with tangata whenua and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu as treaty partner.