A central government initiative to support the protection and restoration of native wildlife has been out for consultation and Whakatāne District Council has thrown its support behind the idea.
Whakatāne District Council’s Manager Strategy and Performance Dr Leny Woolsey said like many other parts of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Whakatāne District has significant areas of indigenous biodiversity and Council wants to do all it can to protect and restore it.
“Across the globe biodiversity is declining at alarming rates due to habitat loss, over exploitation, increase of pests and diseases, pollution, and climate change.”
“We are fortunate to have significant areas of indigenous biodiversity which contribute to making our district one of the most beautiful in the mōtū, so it’s important we put steps in place to protect it,” Dr Woolsey said.
The Whakatāne District encompasses a large land and ocean area that includes extensive river systems and native forests. There are 141 Significant Indigenous Biodiversity Sites in the district which, under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), need to be protected because they are areas of significant vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna which are a matter of national importance.
“New Zealanders, Iwi and community groups are doing some amazing work to preserve biodiversity. However, there is a large funding gap between the action being taken and the action required to protect our taonga species and ecosystems,” Dr Woolsey said.
“To bridge this gap, the Department of Conservation and the Ministry for the Environment are investigating a biodiversity credit system that would help incentivise the protection of nature.”
“The credit system would help to conserve habitats and species by allowing landowners who protect and restore wildlife to earn credits; it would complement the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity.”
This pioneering initiative reflects Council's ongoing commitment to sustainable development and protecting the region's unique biodiversity.
“By supporting central government, Council aims to take the lead in redefining how we approach biodiversity preservation and sustainable development, not only in our region but as an example for the entire nation.”