NZILA supports the objective of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of conservation management. However, the submission raises concerns that the Bill represents a significant shift in the management framework for public conservation land, waters and indigenous flora and fauna, with the potential to alter how conservation landscapes are understood, assessed, managed and experienced.

The submission recommends amendments to:

• explicitly recognise landscape values and cultural landscapes as conservation values requiring consideration under the Act
• confirm that conservation remains the primary purpose of public conservation land, with economic use and development subordinate to conservation outcomes
  require assessment of landscape and cultural landscape values before land disposal, exchange, reclassification or significant intensification of use
• require cumulative effects on landscape character, natural character, cultural landscapes and visitor experience to be considered when determining concessions and other development approvals
• recognise landscape-scale relationships, including ki uta ki tai connections, in conservation planning and management
• retain meaningful opportunities for input from mana whenua, Conservation Boards, local authorities and communities when decisions affect conservation landscapes.

The submission was prepared by the Environmental Legislation Committee working group after seeking contributions from our wider membership, was ratified by the NZILA Board on 30 June 2026, and requests the opportunity to appear before the Environment Committee.

Read the full submission

Thank you to the Envrionmental Legislation Working Group for preparing this submission. 

Lead Author & Key Contributors: Julia Wick, Ben Ormsby, Brad Coombs, Bridget Gilbert, Clive Anstey, Dennis Scott, Di Lucas, Nigel Parker, Peter Kensington, Rachael Annan, Simon Button.