4. Native Flora and Fauna
a. Forests Act 1949
The Forests Act 1949 was amended in 1993 to provide for the sustainable management of indigenous forests which are being managed for sawlog production. Sustainable management is achieved through controls on the milling and exporting of indigenous timber and forest products. Indigenous forests in commercial use must be managed according to a registered Sustainable Management Plan or Permit. These plans must provide for the forested area to provide a full range of forest products and amenities in perpetuity. These requirements apply to farmers with small forest remnants as well as to larger blocks of natural forest. The Forests Act also prescribes limits on the extraction of indigenous timber for private use, and on the removal of indigenous forest for public works.
Implementing agency: Ministry of Forestry
b. Land clearance controls
Regional councils can control non-timber uses of indigenous forests, e.g., harvest of firewood or clearance for agriculture, to provide for sustainable management under the Resource Management Act. See 2c (i and ii) above.
c. Reserves, covenants and trusts
i. Esplanade reserves and strips
Under the Resource Management Act, as a condition of any property development of less than 4 ha, a strip of land 20 metres on either side of any water body becomes public property. District and city councils hold and manage these properties, which can be a means to protect native flora and fauna as well as provide recreation opportunities. For developments larger than 4 ha, councils have the option of purchasing an esplanade reserve, or negotiating with the landowner for other forms of protection.
Implementing agency: District and city councils
1994/95 Budget: not available.
ii. Nga Whenua Rahui
The Department of Conservation administers a fund, Nga Whenua Rahui ("land protection fund"), to assist Maori owners to protect their indigenous forest. This fund can be used to establish a covenant on forest which might otherwise be cleared, eg on those Maori-owned lands which are exempted from the provisions of the Forests Amendment Act (see 4a). Eligibility is based on an assessment of conservation value in the forest. Funds are available for acquisition, survey, fencing and legal costs associated with establishing protection, but usually not for ongoing management costs. Thus, where private parties retain ownership, they also remain responsible for managing pests and weeds. Since 1991, 35860 ha have been protected under this programme.
Implementing agency: Department of Conservation
1994/95 Budget: $2.338 million (including GST)
iii. Forest Heritage Fund
The Forest Heritage Fund has similar criteria and procedures as the Nga Whenua Rahui Fund, but is open to applications from any source. Since 1990, this fund has protected 91,800 ha of forest.
Implementing agency: Department of Conservation
1994/95 Budget: $4.321 million (including GST)
iv. Farm plans
Through farm plans developed in conjunction with some regional and district councils (eg Environment Bay of Plenty), farmers may accept covenants on natural forest or other significant natural features on their properties.
Implementing agency: Regional and district councils
d. Pest management
Introduced animals do significant damage to flora and fauna in parks and reserves and in forest remnants on private property. Pest management programmes are therefore important for protecting the natural environment as well as agricultural production. See 5b below for programme details.
Contact for Enquiries
MAF Information Services
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
Fax: +64 4 894 0721
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