Briefing Paper-National Parks and Conservation areas 23rd March 2014 – Community Cabinet
1. Minister/Agency
Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing
2. Topic title
Commercial activities in National Parks and other conservation areas.
National Parks Review
3. Background
Since the current Government came to power 2012 they have made substantial changes to the status of conservation under the Nature Conservation Act so that the conservation of nature is no longer the primary objective of the act; moved the National Parks portfolio from the Department of Environment to the current portfolio which has shifted the focus of national parks from conservation to exploitation for human benefit; put out tenders for allowing commercial activities in national parks; allowed other previously banned activities in national parks such as horse riding; trail bike riding and four wheel driving; undertaken a review of national parks with criteria that is strongly weighted to economic benefits rather than conservation.
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