45-645: The New Zealand Threat Classification System is used by the Department of Conservation to assess conservation priorities of species in New Zealand . The system was developed because the IUCN Red List , a similar conservation status system, had some shortcomings for the unique requirements of conservation ranking in New Zealand. As of 2011, plants , animals , and fungi are evaluated, though
90-550: A 100 km long cycle trail along the Waikato River . In the second stage of the project, it was announced in February 2010 that out of 54 applications (beyond the quick-start trails), 13 had been selected to receive funding (pending further feasibility studies). If all these trails and the quick-start trails were realised, they would provide over 2,000 km of trail. In September 2010, funding for another five tracks
135-567: A New Zealand-wide network in the long term. John Key noted that to retain momentum on the process, the first sections to be funded would be publicised by June 2009. This was slightly pushed out until July 2009, when the first seven projects were announced, to receive $ 9 million in funding. In November 2009, construction started on the Waikato River Trails , the first of the quick-start projects, which received $ 3 million in funding to construct 41 km of track and thereby finish
180-629: A fire occurs on land it manages. Up until June 2017, DOC was the designated fire authority for all land under its control. In addition to its work managing land and providing for recreation in New Zealand, DOC works to preserve its natural heritage . This includes preservation of historic sites on public conservation land, saving native threatened species , managing threats like pests and weeds , environmental restoration , caring for marine life, and assisting landowners to effectively preserve natural heritage. The methods of achieving these goals have resulted in controversy, where some people claim that
225-525: A full track formed in concrete at least $ 300m rather than the $ 50m initially suggested. Setting out further specifics, in May 2009 it was confirmed that instead of a single route throughout New Zealand, the project would, at least initially, concentrate on a number of promising individual links. Substantial parts of these routes could use existing railway corridor reserves or possibly paper roads , or existing cycle infrastructure, where present. They would also have
270-606: A network. The project has also created enthusiasm among some business groups, with, for example, a meeting of 130 Waikato business and government representatives endorsing it for the tourism, health and economic benefits it could bring to Hamilton and the Waikato. Also supportive was the New Zealand Contractors' Federation , which considered that it would be very beneficial for many small and medium enterprises during hard economic times. The cycleway project
315-518: A new headquarters, Conservation House, on Manners Street, Wellington in 2006. It is the first green building in New Zealand to be given a 5-star rating, having won numerous environmental awards, including a top 10 placing by Grist Magazine . The site was originally a cinema complex operated by the Hoyts Group from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s, when it closed down in the face of stiff competition. New Zealand has 13 national parks , and
360-618: A significant drop in possum populations during the last decades. The DOC was floated as the agency to supervise the construction of the proposed New Zealand Cycleway , though this is now being managed primarily by the Ministry of Tourism, in coordination with the DOC where appropriate. After a number of years of falling budgets, in 2013 the department announced it would be slashing 140 jobs and narrowing its 11-region structure into six. As part of New Zealand's programme of economic recovery post
405-651: A wide number of other conservation lands with varying levels of environmental protection, called the "conservation estate" in total. About one third of this estate, generally the land considered most valuable, has been protected from mining since 1997 via being listed in Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act 1991 (though recent (2010) moves by the Fifth National Government have proposed exemption some areas from Schedule 4). While much of
450-492: Is a New Zealand government initiative, co-funded together with local councils and charitable trusts, which is to build and operate a network of cycle routes through the country. As of mid-2011, the first of 18 proposed 'Great Rides' (dedicated cycleways, mostly off-road and in particularly scenic locations) were being finished, while construction was ongoing on most of the others. The first set of 'Touring Routes' (mostly on-road, to connect Great Rides), had also been announced. At
495-481: Is a major part of its core work, and this covers the management of family picnic sites, as well as maintaining rugged backcountry tracks and over 1000 accompanying backcountry huts that are used by hunters and recreational trampers. DOC also administers the Nature Heritage Fund , and is responsible for supporting rural fire control by acting under the direction of Fire and Emergency New Zealand when
SECTION 10
#1732782824073540-548: Is also seen as a potential lifeline for small town such as Kumara on the West Coast. The small town, a former gold mining centre, now has only a few hundred inhabitants left, and is facing the closure of its only remaining store. Westland's Mayor Maureen Pugh noted that the Westland Wilderness Trail, which was selected as one of the 13 Phase II trails, could be a "saving grace" by bringing tourism into
585-491: Is the public service department of New Zealand charged with the conservation of New Zealand's natural and historical heritage. An advisory body, the New Zealand Conservation Authority (NZCA) is provided to advise DOC and its ministers. In addition there are 15 conservation boards for different areas around the country that provide for interaction between DOC and the public. The department
630-578: The 21 km (13 mi) Roxburgh Gorge Trail to the 315 km (196 mi) Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. Originally called the New Zealand Cycleway , and later the National Cycleway Project , it was initially conceived as a cycling route to run through the length of New Zealand, "from Kaitaia to Bluff ". It was proposed by then Prime Minister John Key as the 21st "surprise" item of the national job summit held by
675-495: The Department of Conservation is overly biased towards environmentalists at the expense of New Zealand's economy. This is particularly a concern amongst some farmers and other industries that are major users of neighbouring land, many of whom have been affected by decisions of the department. However, these criticised DOC efforts have also been lauded for achieving some success, for both conservationists and farmers, having led to
720-522: The Department of Conservation. This is about 30% of New Zealand's land area or about 8 million hectares of native forests, tussocklands, alpine areas, wetlands, dunelands, estuaries, lakes and islands, national forests, maritime parks, marine reserves, nearly 4000 reserves, river margins, some coastline, and many offshore islands. All of the land under its control is protected for either conservation, ecological, scenic, scientific , historic or cultural reasons, and for recreation. Providing for recreation
765-659: The New Zealand Cycle Trail Great Rides In May 2016, another $ 25m of new-route funding was announced. In December 2023, the New Zealand Cycle Trail network expanded with the commencement of construction on a new section linking Queenstown to Cromwell, funded through a collaboration among the New Zealand Government, Central Lakes Trust, and Otago Community Trust, reflecting the ongoing investment in
810-588: The New Zealand Government in early 2009. John Key, who was also Minister of Tourism , noted that as of the middle of March 2009, officials were working "actively and aggressively" on a plan to implement the cycleway, though the original idea of a direct route was abandoned in favour of linking a network of existing paths and new sections, which Key termed 'Great Rides' in allusion to the New Zealand Great Walks system of famous tramping or hiking tracks. The individual routes are to be connected into
855-408: The ability to run through conservation land where appropriate, and take into account existing tourist destinations, thus providing particularly interesting routes. Prime Minister John Key, in mid-2010, noted that he expected 2,000 km of cycleway to be completed by the end of 2011. The intention of the trail, apart from creating jobs in an economic downturn (both in construction and later in
900-411: The average tourists, and during their time in the country spend about 1.6 times as much as the average tourist. Tourism New Zealand also noted that so far, there was effectively no promotion of New Zealand cycling to overseas tourists, even though it was a significant tourism industry in places like Europe. Estimates for the quick-start projects estimate that each might occupy approximately 40 people in
945-539: The budget. Of the total sum, $ 2.5m have been set aside for management and advisory functions in the Ministry of Tourism, while $ 47.5m will be used to create the National Cycleway Project Fund, from which successful applicants will draw money for construction of routes. By September 2010, $ 45.6m had been allocated to track construction, and had attracted a further $ 30m in co-funding from local Councils and other organisations. In July 2010, it
SECTION 20
#1732782824073990-437: The central north island, were: While many cycling groups and tourism interests such as Tourism New Zealand greeted the project with enthusiasm, there has also been scepticism, mainly related to the potential costs of the project, and the scope for economical benefits. Editorialist Brian Rudman has also claimed that the cycleway idea smacked of Depression Era make-work schemes for the working classes. Others have countered
1035-510: The conservation land not protected as national parks or Schedule 4 land is much more damaged or human-modified than the core conservation areas, these areas serve as boundary and species buffer zones. In 1995, 14 people died when a viewing platform maintained by the Department of Conservation collapsed. Immediately following the tragedy, all of the department's 106 viewing platforms throughout New Zealand were checked. Fifteen platforms were closed for repairs. A Commission of Inquiry that followed
1080-469: The criticism noting that the money spent on the cycleway would go back into the New Zealand economy in any case, and leave the country with a lasting infrastructural benefit. Editorialists have remarked that the Prime Minister remained clearly behind the project he helped launch, despite criticism about changes in the estimated costs, and the shift from the initial concept of a single track towards
1125-465: The department. In March 2006, a volcanic eruption at the Green Lake of Raoul Island , administered by the Department of Conservation, was believed to have killed DOC worker Mark Kearney. At the exact time of the eruption, Kearney is thought to have been taking temperature measurements of the lake as part of a programme for monitoring volcanic activity. Five other DOC workers, who were also living on
1170-417: The end of 2013, with the initial $ 50 million (plus local co-funding) essentially all spent or allocated, about 19 routes were expected to be in operation. By 2016, when added funding was announced, the total route length was about 2,500 km (1,600 mi). The addition of Whakarewarewa Forest Loop in 2022 brought the total number of 'Great Rides' to 23, covering 2,755 km (1,712 mi), ranging from
1215-798: The environment. As of June 2023 the project, entitled " Jobs For Nature ", has employed 4,694 individuals over 193 projects. The programme's investment is estimated to be worth approximately NZ$ 1.19Billion, with the projects undertaken focused on providing temporary employment as well benefit the environment, people, and regional New Zealand. In April 2024, the department proposed slashing 130 roles as part of efforts to meet Government budget spending cut targets of 6.5%. In addition, DOC must also find NZ$ 7.2 million to meet cost operating pressures. The proposed job cuts include 24 "Biodiversity, Heritage & Visitors" roles, 22 Policy & Regulatory services roles, 18 public affairs roles and 54 Regional Operations support roles. The Department of Conservation moved into
1260-442: The government for the department's situation, and Denis Marshall , the presiding Minister of Conservation at the time, eventually resigned over the incident. Since the inquiry, radical changes have been made to the department's procedures to prioritise safety, including the implementation of a comprehensive asset management system to catalogue, track and trigger regular inspections of all significant structures and facilities managed by
1305-509: The initial construction period. Prime Minister John Key noted that he expected about 500 jobs to be provided in construction of the cycleways in total, with up to 4,000 eventually created through tourism benefits the trails would bring. In mid-2011, the newsletter of the New Zealand Cycle Trail reported 511 people employed on trail construction. Job experiences from the Far North District were also positive – among other effects, it
1350-423: The initial vision of a single track throughout the country would probably not be realised, at least not in the same form. Rather, it was now envisaged that a whole network of tracks would be created, combined from existing part sections, or upgraded from other forms of tracks and roads. The tracks would likely be to different standards in different areas, as some estimates have set the cost for the original proposal of
1395-418: The island, were forced to evacuate back to New Zealand shortly after the eruption. Searches for Kearney, which have been inhibited by the island's remote location and the risks of further volcanic activity, have since failed to find any signs of him. Directors-General of DOC (Chief Executive) are: National Cycleway Project The New Zealand Cycle Trail project ( Māori : Nga Haerenga , "The Journeys")
New Zealand Threat Classification System - Misplaced Pages Continue
1440-406: The lattermost has yet to be published. Algae were assessed in 2005 but not reassessed since. Other protists have not been evaluated. Species that are ranked are assigned categories: A series of qualifiers are used to give additional information on the threat classification: Department of Conservation (New Zealand) The Department of Conservation ( DOC ; Māori : Te Papa Atawhai )
1485-487: The number of permanent NZCT staff would be reduced from 7 to 3. In mid 2016, another $ 25 million of funding (plus associated local Council co-funding) was announced by government, with approximately $ 13m of the funding planned to pay for connecting four Great Rides cycle trails in Central Otago into a connected 536 km track network. The remainder of the funds would be open for local applications. The cycleway
1530-515: The peak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the following economic downturn DOC is working alongside the Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation, Ministry for Primary Industries, Land Information New Zealand and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment to fund a number of temporary projects with the objective of creating jobs and assisting New Zealand's efforts to further protect
1575-630: The projects that had applied for funding from the new fund after the scope was changed are routes in urban Auckland , as well as on Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island . However, none of these were successful, though Nikki Kaye , National MP for Auckland, and other sponsors of the proposals, such as Cycle Action Auckland were optimistic that deserving projects like the Waiheke Cycle Trail would still be realised by other means. In February 2014, Prime Minister John Key announced $ 8 million worth of maintenance funding over four years for
1620-540: The proposal as encouraging cycling in New Zealand, while walking advocates also see benefits to be gained from such a route. Tourism New Zealand noted that the project could also provide a much-needed boost to the viability and funding of many cities' languishing cycling strategies and plans. Ministry of Tourism figures show that so far (as of 2009), only about 2% of all tourists to New Zealand undertake cycling as part of their activities. The data did however also indicate that cycling tourists stay more than twice as long as
1665-558: The tourism industry associated with it), is to provide local and international cycle tourists with a route to travel on. Cycle Action Auckland noted in an editorial that the Otago Central Rail Trail had brought substantial benefits to an otherwise struggling rural region, and had been assessed as supporting up to 1,000 full and part-time jobs in the region, and that the tourism benefits of a national cycleway would likely be similar. Cycling Advocates' Network supports
1710-405: The tragedy revealed that the department had acted illegally and negligently in constructing the viewing platform. The commission also stated that the department was seriously underfunded for the tasks with which it was delegated, resulting in a culture of sub-standard safety procedures having been used for the building and maintenance of some of its facilities. Many people in New Zealand criticised
1755-493: The trail system. In mid-2011, the New Zealand Cycle Trail announced a second type of route, the "touring route". Composed mainly of existing on-road routes (rather than new dedicated cycleways), these routes are to start linking the various Great Rides and New Zealand in general with officially designated cycling routes, chosen for scenic appeal and suitability for cycling (low motor vehicle traffic volumes etc...). The first three such routes announced, all centred on Taumarunui in
1800-505: Was announced that Sarah Ulmer would be the official 'ambassador' for the New Zealand Cycle Trail. In May 2011, a customer-focused website was launched for the trails. In January 2012, the most famous existing cycle route of the country, the Otago Central Rail Trail , became a part of the Cycle Trail umbrella organisation. In February 2013, it was announced that with most project and funding-allocation work completed after 4 years,
1845-488: Was announced that 8 of the 13 cycle trails had received the go-ahead, four needed further study, and one (Tauranga Moana) had been rejected, due to land-use/access issues making the proposal unfeasible in the short term. $ 18.8 million have been set aside for the approved tracks, with the local authorities adding another $ 16 million to the project costs. Five more tracks from the list were approved in September 2010. Among
New Zealand Threat Classification System - Misplaced Pages Continue
1890-592: Was confirmed, bringing the total up to 18. On 2 July 2010, Prime Minister John Key opened the first segment completed with cycle trail funding, being the 'Old Coach Road' segment of the Ruapehu to Whanganui Nga Ara Tuhono trail. By November 2010, eight trails were under construction, and the first full "Great Ride", the St James Trail located near Hanmer Springs , opened in November 2010. In mid-2011, it
1935-651: Was formed on 1 April 1987, as one of several reforms of the public service, when the Conservation Act 1987 was passed to integrate some functions of the Department of Lands and Survey , the Forest Service and the Wildlife Service . This act also set out the majority of the department's responsibilities and roles. As a consequence of Conservation Act all Crown land in New Zealand designated for conservation and protection became managed by
1980-445: Was originally proposed to be a continuous route with a concrete surface, and it was proposed that the Department of Conservation was to supervise the construction process. Cycling advocates noted that having the feasibility study undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism, rather than the Ministry of Transport, boded well for the future of the project. In the middle of March 2009, comments started to emerge from government indicating that
2025-524: Was reported that of 110 formerly unemployed young people who worked on the project for half a year as part of a government subsidy scheme, 80 had gone on to other work, rather than returning to the dole. In May 2009, the government announced that $ 50 million had been allocated for the cycleway in the budget for the coming three years, provided by the Ministry of Tourism. It was hoped that local authorities and other entities would also provide further sums, with co-funded projects receiving priority for money from
#72927