Minister of Conservation (New Zealand)

The minister of conservation is a minister in the New Zealand Government with responsibility for promoting conservation of the natural and historic heritage of New Zealand.[2]

Minister of Conservation
Incumbent
Tama Potaka
since 27 November 2023
Department of Conservation
StyleThe Honourable
Member ofExecutive Council
Reports toPrime Minister of New Zealand
AppointerGovernor-General of New Zealand
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
Formation1 April 1987
First holderRussell Marshall
Salary$288,900[1]
Websitewww.beehive.govt.nz

The current minister is Tama Potaka.[3]

History

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The role of Minister of Conservation was established in 1987 alongside the formation of the Department of Conservation and the passage of the Conservation Act 1987.

Responsibilities

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The minister leads the government's work on conservation issues and is responsible for advocating on behalf of conservation outcomes in the natural resources sector. In that way, the minister works closely with the Minister for the Environment, the Minister of Energy and Resources, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, the Minister for Biosecurity, the Minister for Land Information, the Minister of Local Government, the Minister of Tourism and the Minister of Agriculture.[4][5]

As the responsible minister for the Department of Conservation, the minister's portfolio overseas 30% of the land area in New Zealand. In addition to the Conservation Act 1987, the minister is responsible for the Wildlife Act 1953, the Marine Reserves Act 1971, the Wild Animal Control Act 1977, the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978, and the National Parks Act 1980.[2] The minister has functions under the Resource Management Act 1991, including the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, approving regional coastal plans developed by local authorities, and acting as the local authority for the Kermadec and Subantarctic Islands.[4][5]

The minister is responsible for acquiring land for conservation purposes, recommending the creation of national parks, granting concessions for activities on public conservation land, and establishing marine mammal sanctuaries and marine reserves.[4][5]

The minister oversees and appoints members of the 15 regional conservation boards, the 29 reserves boards, the Fish & Game Council (and regional Fish & Game Councils), the Game Animal Council, the Game Bird Habitat Trust Board, the New Zealand Conservation Authority, and Predator Free 2050 Limited.[4][5]

The Loder Cup awarded for conservation is presented by the minister.

List of ministers

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Key

  Labour   National   Alliance   Green

No. Name Portrait Term of office Prime Minister
1 Russell Marshall   1 April 1987 24 August 1987 Lange
2 Helen Clark   24 August 1987 30 January 1989
3 Philip Woollaston   30 January 1989 2 November 1990
Palmer
Moore
4 Denis Marshall   2 November 1990 30 May 1996 Bolger
5 Simon Upton   30 May 1996 16 December 1996
6 Nick Smith   16 December 1996 10 December 1999
Shipley
7 Sandra Lee   10 December 1999 15 August 2002 Clark
8 Chris Carter   15 August 2002 31 October 2007
9 Steve Chadwick   31 October 2007 19 November 2008
10 Tim Groser   19 November 2008 27 January 2010 Key
11 Kate Wilkinson   27 January 2010 22 January 2013
(6) Nick Smith   22 January 2013 8 October 2014
12 Maggie Barry   8 October 2014 26 October 2017
English
13 Eugenie Sage   26 October 2017 6 November 2020 Ardern
14 Kiri Allan   6 November 2020 14 June 2022
15 Poto Williams   14 June 2022 1 February 2023
Hipkins
16 Willow-Jean Prime   1 February 2023 27 November 2023
17 Tama Potaka   27 November 2023 present Luxon

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Parliamentary Salaries and Allowances Determination 2016" (PDF). Parliament.nz. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Conservation | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Ministerial List". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d Department of Conservation (2020). Briefing to the incoming Minister of Conservation (PDF) (Report).
  5. ^ a b c d Department of Conservation (June 2022). Briefing to the incoming Minister of Conservation (PDF) (Report).
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