OPINION: As tourism numbers grow, New Zealand’s national parks are coming under siege. Car parks are bulging, helicopters are buzzing, and developers are taking note.
Submissions on two National Park Plans due 4 February 2019.
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DOC`s Budget payoff: more staff – David Williams, Newsroom
DOC has come under fire, along with other agencies and councils, for decisions made in the Mackenzie Basin. The aim now, Sanson says, is to have a dryland park in place “within a year”. “That’s the target set by the minister that we’re trying to deliver on.”
Christchurch Conservationist Di Lucas recognised in New Year’s honours – Charlie Gates, The Press
Growing up on a high country station in Otago, Di Lucas learnt about conservation early. The rugged landscape of Bendigo Station, with its tussocks, abandoned gold mines and mountains, inspired a calling that has now been recognised with a New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the New Year’s honours.
Big plans for predator control in the Mackenzie Basin – Mathew Littlewood, Timaru Herald
There are big plans to protect some of our smallest insects and birds in the upper Mackenzie Basin and Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Reporter Matthew Littlewood talks to some of those involved in an ambitious project to make the Basin predator-free.
Ministerial advice doctored – David Williams, Newsroom. Best of the Year.
*This article was first published August 21, 2018*
The Conservation Minister refuses to comment on the fact advice she received was doctored, allegedly to “cover up” her department’s failures in the Mackenzie Basin. David Williams reports.
A curious anomaly in the Mackenzie Basin – Pat Baskett, Newsroom. Best of the Year.
Farm pollution measure system needs overhaul: Upton – Gerard Hutching, Stuff News
Overseer needs to be made more transparent if the public is to have confidence in its reliability as a pollution regulator, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment says.
What Canterbury’s water bottling case tells us – David Williams, Newsroom
Cantabrians should prepare for more weak, business-friendly water consent decisions, David Williams warns.
Bird with wonky bill inspires big project in the Mackenzie – David Williams, Newsroom
A small bird with a beak that hooks to the right has inspired Dr Jan Wright to continue her environmental work.
Wright, the former Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, is heading up a project to restore the biodiversity in the Upper Mackenzie basin and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
What’s the beef with methane? – Eloise Gibson, Newsroom
The government’s proposal for a Zero Carbon Bill has exposed an argument between scientists about the importance of methane. But it’s not really about science, as Eloise Gibson reports in this deep-dive news feature.