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Consultation with the Department of Conservation

The Department of Conservation (DOC) administers legislation that has direct relevance to the application of biological control in New Zealand. The Conservation Act 1987 was developed to promote the conservation of New Zealand's natural resources including management for conservation purposes of all land and natural resources held under the Act. The National Parks Act 1980 directs to preserve native plants and animals and remove introduced ones from National Parks, as far as is possible, and to preserve soil, water and forest conservation values. Similarly, the Reserves Act 1977 seeks the preservation of representative natural ecosystems or landscapes and the survival of indigenous species of flora and fauna, both rare and commonplace. DOC is also charged with safe-guarding some absolutely protected wildlife throughout New Zealand under the Wildlife Act 1953. Under these statutes DOC has an active role in protecting New Zealand's unique biota and ecosystems, and the provision of recreational opportunities.

Section 58 of the HSNO Act specifies that the Authority:

"Shall consult with all departments or Crown entities notified of the application in accordance with section 53 (4) of this Act and, where any application is for approval to import, develop, field test, or release a new organism, have particular regard to any submissions made by the Department of Conservation."

Consequently, DOC needs to advise the Authority so that possible impacts on the New Zealand environment, flora or fauna (directly or indirectly) which are likely to result from the introduction of a new organism are fully considered. DOC is likely to have particular concerns where the biological control agent will come into intimate contact with native ecosystems, for example when the target is a pest of indigenous landscapes, or the biological control agents are likely to be abundant and ubiquitous. Conversely, DOC is likely to have less concern where agents can be shown to be restricted to modified habits such as agricultural landscapes.

Applicants should consult with DOC as early as possible as any issues raised may be complex.

Manager, Biosecurity Section
Research, Development & Improvement Division
Conservation House
PO Box 10-420, 18-32 Manners Street
Wellington 6011
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