Department Of Conservation

We continue to pursue maximisation of Settlement matters related to the Department of Conservation through regular meetings with the Southern Regional Office and Director General. The extent of the Department of Conservation-administered land in the takiwā demands wide ranging initiatives to increase recognition and understanding of Ngāi Tahu values and expectations of the Department of Conservation's work.

Te Ara Whakamua, an employment initiative strategy to increase numbers of Ngāi Tahu/Māori working for the Department of Conservation, was finalised this year and implementation has begun. As part of this strategy, proactive marketing, excellent applicants and support from the Office resulted in four Ngāi Tahu applicants being offered places on the DOC Trainee Ranger Programme at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology.

We continue to work with kaitiaki rūnanga and Ngāi Tahu Tourism to evaluate, review and comment on a wide range of plans and policies seeking further opportunities in regard to kaitiaki, customary use and commercial issues. Areas of interest this year have been Rakiura and Mt Aspiring National Parks documents, Department of Conservation Translocations Plan and Kiwi Recovery Plan.