Conservation in New Zealand

thumb|A 1959 poster made by the [[Department of Internal Affairs (New Zealand)|Department of Internal Affairs reminding immigrants – particularly from the UK post-WW2 – that native birds are protected under law]]

Nature conservation in New Zealand has a history associated with both Māori and Europeans. Both groups of people caused a loss of species and both altered their behaviour to a degree after realising their effect on indigenous flora and fauna.

Protected areas

New Zealand has thirteen national parks, forty-four marine reserves and many other protected areas for the conservation of biodiversity. The introduction of many invasive species is threatening the indigenous biodiversity, since the geographical isolation of New Zealand led to the evolution of plants and animals that did not have traits to protect against predation. New Zealand has a high proportion of endemic species, so pest control is generally regarded as a high priority.

The New Zealand Department of Conservation administers approximately 30% of New Zealand's land, along with less than 1% of the country's marine environment, for conservation and recreational purposes. It has published lists, under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, of flora and fauna that is at risk or declining, which are included in national and regional plans.

Legislation

The Conservation Act 1987 is New Zealand's principal legislation concerning the conservation of indigenous biodiversity. The Act established the Department of Conservation, Fish and Game, and complements the National Parks Act 1980 and the Reserves Act 1977.

The Wildlife Act 1953 covers the protection and control of wild animals, and provides for wildlife sanctuaries, refuges and management reserves.

Conservation successes

right|thumb|A black robin (Petroica traversi). Saving the species was a major conservation success story.

The black robin (Petroica traversi) was saved from the brink of extinction by a conservation effort led by Don Merton of the New Zealand Wildlife Service. However all black robins that survive today are descended from a single female, therefore the species has little genetic diversity.

The two species of saddleback had each been reduced to a small population on a single island: Hen Island for the North Island saddleback, and Taukihepa / Big South Cape Island off Stewart Island for the South Island saddleback. After a programme of translocation to other predator-free island reserves, the population of the South Island saddleback has increased from 36 birds to over 1,200 birds on 15 islands. The North Island subspecies had increased from 500 birds to over 6,000 birds on 12 islands. This has taken both subspecies from critically endangered on the IUCN Red List to near threatened for the South Island saddleback and least concern for the North Island saddleback.

The brown teal (Anas chlorotis) recovery programme has successfully improved the population status from endangered to near threatened on the IUCN Red List.

The North Island kōkako population has increased from a low point of around 350 pairs to over 1600 pairs in 23 populations around the North Island.

Conservation issues

Deforestation

Most of the current 11.9 million hectares of agricultural land had been cleared, representing around 44% of the total land area of New Zealand. Forestry came to be seen as main tool in meeting New Zealand's Kyoto Protocol targets.

The Don Merton Conservation Pioneer Award (named after Don Merton)

References

External links

Biodiversity New Zealand
Biodiversity and Conservation at Landcare Research
New Zealand Plant Conservation Network
Conservation Volunteers New Zealand
Endangered Species Foundation of New Zealand