Not sure what’s going on with the Conservation Amendment Bill? Here’s an explainer.

The Conservation Amendment Bill, introduced by the government in May, proposes significant changes to the way New Zealand’s conservation land is managed. Rather than protection, the Government seeks to repurpose the Act towards development. 

Most of New Zealand’s natural areas, mountains, lakes and rivers, and tramping tracks and backcountry huts, are in public conservation land. If the Bill is passed, there could be major repercussions for public access and outdoor recreation. 

What is the Bill proposing?

The core issue is a proposed amendment to Section 6 of the current Conservation Act 1987. This section lays the foundation of the law. It defines the purpose of how public conservation land is used and protected.

Currently, the Act provides that conservation of New Zealand’s wild places is the top priority, including protection of the recreational values that allow people to experience these places. 

However, the Bill proposes changing Section 6 to ‘enable economic use and development to the greatest extent practicable’ as s6(ea). This could mean that the Department of Conservation would shift its focus from protecting the great outdoors to encouraging economic development. 

Approximately 60 per cent of public conservation land will be eligible or open for disposal, development and exchange, subject to an assessment process. 

Furthermore, the Bill seeks to remove checks and balances that protect the great outdoors, including weakening independent bodies that represent the public interest in conservation decisions – the New Zealand Conservation Authority and conservation boards. It proposes that this power lie solely in the hands of the Conservation Minister.

There are some solutions offered by the Bill, too, such as streamlining concession processes, but these could be implemented under the existing legislation without the problematic changes above. 

What could occur if the Bill passes in its current state?

If economic development is made the foundation purpose behind conservation land, DOC and the conservation minister may not be able to decline development proposals, with the law itself working against protecting the environment. 

The risk that inappropriate or high-impact developments could be approved in places that should be protected would increase. In its current state, the Bill makes no distinction between small-scale, low-impact tourism and large-scale industrial projects. 

If conservation land is sold, there would also be no obligation to protect public access to it. Outdoor advocacy group Federated Mountain Clubs says this is possibly the “biggest threat” to conservation law and outdoor recreation in almost 50 years. Forest & Bird, Ngāi Tahu and law firm Anderson Lloyd have all publicly raised major concerns. 

How to make a submission

You can make a submission on the Bill via the Parliament website, sharing your voice and perspective on the future of conservation land and outdoor recreation. You can also send a submission to your local MP. Alternatively, make your submission here. 

Submissions must be lodged by 11:59pm on July 2, 2026, and will be heard by the Environment Select Committee.