At the start of the month, the Government announced further proposals to modernise conservation management and consider access charges, building on initiatives first announced last year. These proposals follow earlier consultations, including submissions from FMC and other stakeholders.
The recently announced changes—including potential access charges and the removal of key safeguards —raise serious concerns. Many of FMC’s earlier submissions appear not to have been considered, calling into question how genuine the consultation has been.
Conservation law exists to protect the intrinsic values of our whenua—its wild places, unique species, and natural heritage—not to prioritise commercial interests. While FMC supports some changes in principle, we strongly oppose removing the role of the New Zealand Conservation Authority from key planning decisions, giving the Minister sole power over the future of public conservation land, and allowing development or disposal without strong safeguards.
We also welcome the Government’s assurance that Kiwis won’t be charged to access public land, but more clarity is needed on the financial feasibility, enforcement, and legal requirement to reinvest revenue into the land it comes from.
FMC has submitted further feedback to DOC's National Conservation Policy Statement proposal, focusing on specific aspects of the proposal, including the concessions process, and replacement of National Park Management Plans and Conservation Management Plans with Area plans. | 
