By Corina Jordan, CEO of the NZ Game Animal Council
The Environment Select Committee has released its report on the Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill to the House.
Read the Environment Select Committee report here.
Report recommendations
Following public consultation on the Bill, the Environment Select Committee considered submissions from nearly 3,000 individuals and groups.
The Select Committee also received a briefing, a report and a presentation from the Department of Conservation (DOC). Read DOC’s report on public submissions here.
The Select Committee’s report outlines that it has recommended changes to the Game Animal Council Act 2013 to enable Herds of Special Interest (HOSI) to be exempt from extermination requirements under the National Parks Act.
It has also recommended an additional change to the National Parks Act, to directly reference the exemption of HOSI from extermination.
These recommendations reflect that HOSI is a useful approach to game animal management and conservation legislation should reflect this.
Sector support
The GAC continues to be humbled by the huge amount of interest and support not only from hunters, but also the wider community. There were 2,946 submissions received, of which 52% were in clear support of the Bill.
20% of submissions opposed the Bill. 28% of submissions did not express a clear position on the proposed amendment, however the majority expressed support for HOSI, game animals and hunting more broadly.
Over ninety submitters presented to the Select Committee in person or online, representing hunters, conservationists, iwi, and environmental NGOs.
The GAC would like to acknowledge everyone who submitted in support of the Bill and in support of modernising New Zealand’s outdated conservation legal framework.
It remains important that collectively, we continue advocating for further changes to modernise the conservation framework and subsequently enable future positive game animal management and hunting outcomes for New Zealand.
The most common reasons for supporting the Bill included:
- Support for hunting activities generally, including the potential for HOSI to enhance these (32%).
- The amendment would allow for maintained and/or improved native biodiversity protection (26%).
- Support for hunter-led management of game animals (25%).
- Recognising herds of value within New Zealand (21%).
- The economic and tourism benefits of hunting (14%).
Of note, 10% of submissions in support noted that efforts to eliminate game animals are either unnecessary or ineffective.
Those who did not support the Bill raised concerns relating to:
- Native biodiversity protection (76%).
- Integrity of national parks and/or the National Parks Act (50%).
- The decision-making and/or oversight role of the NZCA (31%).
- The UNESCO World Heritage Area status of Te Wāhipounamu (28%).
- The effectiveness of hunter-led management (27%).
In addition, 12% of submissions that opposed the Bill discussed the climate change implications of continued browsing of indigenous forests. However, research by Manaaki Whenua has clarified that overall, game animals do not reduce forest carbon sequestration.
GAC position
HOSI is an important modern management approach that should be enabled across New Zealand through the legislative framework.
The GAC supports the Bill and the intent behind it and is pleased to see it supported by the Select Committee.
However, the GAC is concerned that the Select Committee has chosen to not bring additional amendments back to the House for the second reading. The GAC’s position is that the recommendations of the Select Committee do not go far enough to remove the risk of judicial review for HOSI, particularly in national parks.
The GAC has provided advice on these matters and will continue to advocate for policy that enables effective and sustainable game animal management in New Zealand.
Next steps
The Select Committee has reported back to the House, recommending that the Bill be passed, with an additional amendment. This means the Bill will proceed to the House for a second reading.
Before the Bill becomes law, it must also go through the Committee of the Whole House, a third reading, and Royal Ascent. This timeline has not yet been set.
Parliament has the ability to make further changes to the Bill before it becomes law.
The GAC will continue to provide advice to the Minister for Hunting and Fishing on this matter in line with its statutory functions.