Conservancies introduced

Press, 30 March 1989, Page 33

Conservancies introduced

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

A new structure of 14 conservancies to replace eight regions and 34 districts has been announced by the Minister of Conservation, Mr Wooilaston. Each conservancy will be managed by a regional conservator and the system will merge the present functions of district and regional offices.

One will be based on Christchurch and will include all Canterbury plus the Mackenzie Basin. It will include Mount Cook National Park, Craigiebum Forest Park, Hanmer Forest Park, the Chatham Islands and Lake Sumner Forest Park. The West Coast conservancy will be based on Hokitika and will include Westland National Park, Arthur’s Pass National Park, Paparoa National Park,. Victoria Forest Park and part of NorthWest Nelson Forest Park. The Nelson-Marl-borough conservancy will be based on Nelson and will include Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson Uikes National Park,

Marine Park and part of North-West Nelson Forest Park and wilderness area. Mr Woollaston said the new structure was based on the recent Coopers and Lybrand report That report had proposed more resources be directed at conservation work rather than management.

The new boundaries were fairly close to those recommended by the Local Body Review Commission, but differed where conservation management requirements dictated.