14035 (2026). Celia Wade-Brown to the Minister of Conservation

14035 (2026). Celia Wade-Brown to the Minister of Conservation: Is the Minister aware that a survey has found that New Zealand's butterflies are in decline, with a drop of around 50 percent across most species?

Hon Tama Potaka: The member may be referring to a 6 April media article by volunteer organisation, Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust. I am aware of the Trust’s survey and commend their commitment to moth and butterfly conservation. The Department of Conservation advises me that it is extremely challenging to estimate decline across all New Zealand butterflies. But for some species of butterflies, I am aware that there has been an ongoing decline in the last several decades.