UNZ Submission on the consultation on modernising NZ's conservation system

Read Universities New Zealand – Te Pōkai Tara Submission to the Department of Conversation 2025 on the consultation on modernising New Zealand’s conservation system.

Executive summary

Universities are pleased to see that the first of the four priorities in the consultation on modernising the conservation system is to “fix concession processes” to reduce red tape to make it easier for other organisations such as universities, to be active on public conservation land. We propose that DOC grants universities institutional permits which would increase DOC efficiency in processing permits for conservation research.

We do not support the introduction of fees for permits for, or access to, the DOC estate for conservation research undertaken by public institutions like universities and Crown Research Institutes. Conservation research undertaken by public organisations is in national interest and therefore no further barriers to research should be introduced.

Read the full submission here.