The New Zealand Conservation Authority (NZCA) fully supports the
Department of Conservation in their operations to cull all tahr, as far as
possible, in the Aoraki/Mt Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks.
What the tahr decision actually says – David Williams, Newsroom
It was claimed as a win but last week’s court decision on tahr control was mostly legal shots thumping harmlessly into a wall.
Controversial plans for Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park restarted – Andrea Vance
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has revived a controversial review of management plans for Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
Court action over legality of tahr plan – NZ Forest and Bird Media release
Forest & Bird is seeking a declaration from the High Court that an operational plan to control tahr is illegal, and fails to meet the requirements for national parks and wilderness areas. “Too many fragile alpine environments continue to be decimated by tahr, including in Aoraki/Mt Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks,” says Forest & Bird West Coast and Canterbury Regional Manager Nicky Snoyink.
Report proposes “radical shift” to save Mackenzie Basin – Alice Geary, Timaru Herald
A “radical shift” in management is needed to protect the Mackenzie Basin from ongoing damage, the Environmental Defence Society (EDS) says in an extensive report released last week.
Fears for Mackenzie Basin landscapes – David Williams, Newsroom
The Mackenzie Basin’s glacially carved landscapes need urgent protection, an environmental group says. This morning, the Environmental Defence Society releases a report – commissioned by government agencies Department of Conservation and Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) – about landscape protection in the Basin/Te Manahuna.
Shovel ready secrecy risks everything – Kevin Hague, Forest and Bird
New Zealand has more species at risk of extinction than any other country on the planet. More than 95 percent of our waterways in developed areas are heavily polluted. Thirteen out of fourteen native habitat types are getting smaller at the hands of our own activity.
Extensive trapping boosts number of critically endangered kakī – Michael Hayward, Timaru Herald
A population survey this year found 169 known kakī/black stilt living in the wild in the Mackenzie Basin, between Tekapo and Twizel.
Billionaire drops lakeside lodge plan – David Williams, Newsroom
A Hong Kong billionaire has dropped a controversial plan to build a sprawling lodge overlooking a scenic South Island lake.
Fight against wilding pines gets funding boost – Mathew Littlewood, Timaru Herald
A wilding pine infestation near Tekapo.
The Government has set aside $2 million to help fund wilding pine clearance operations in the Mackenzie District and Canterbury.
The funding, which was confirmed by Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage and Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor, would help tackle the invasive plant species.