Waikawa Beach Environment Group recently participated in the national consultation process on the Conservation Amendment Bill by preparing a submission on behalf of the group. A number of members also chose to make individual submissions.

Many of the proposed changes had the potential to affect the future protection and management of conservation land throughout New Zealand, including coastal environments such as Waikawa Beach.

Drawing on our practical experience restoring dunes, protecting nesting birds, advocating for freshwater quality and working alongside councils, iwi and landowners, WBEG's submission supported the continued primacy of conservation within the Conservation Act framework.

Our submission highlighted the importance of protecting connected ecosystems rather than isolated "best examples" of habitat, recognising that species such as Bittern, Dotterel, Godwit and Oystercatchers depend on healthy wetlands, dunes, estuaries and waterways functioning together as one interconnected system.

We were pleased to see a number of community members also engage with the process and contribute their own perspectives on the future of New Zealand's conservation estate.

The consultation process has now closed and we await the Government's response and any future amendments to the legislation with interest.