25/06/2026
For nearly 40 years, the rule on public conservation land was simple: nature comes first.
A bill in front of Parliament right now adds a new instruction, that the Department of Conservation must enable commercial use and development “to the greatest extent practicable.” It also creates “visitor amenities areas,” opening the door to hotels, cafes and commercial services inside conservation parks and national parks, with less public say.
After backlash, the Minister has pulled the part that would’ve made more land saleable, but the economic-development mandate is still in.
Submissions close 2 July. It takes five minutes.
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