14038 (2026). Celia Wade-Brown to the Minister of Conservation

Written Question

Published date: 29 Apr 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	14038 (2026)
Question asked:	14 Apr 2026
Member asking:	Celia Wade-Brown
Portfolio:	Minister of Conservation
Minister replying:	Hon Tama Potaka
Answer received:	23 Apr 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_14038_2026
Document guid:	70cf7568-c968-4cb6-801c-204063ce1914

14038 (2026). Celia Wade-Brown to the Minister of Conservation: What advice reports, briefings, aides-memoire, or any other documents, if any, has the Minister or any member of their Office received regarding the effects of introduced pest wasps to native species (including New Zealand butterflies), by title and date received?

Hon Tama Potaka: From the Department of Conservation, I received an update in my weekly status report on 2 June 2025 titled ‘Wasp Wipeout programme’ that referred to the impacts that wasps have on biodiversity. I received advice on 14 April 2026 titled ‘Advice - Conservation status of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) in Aotearoa New Zealand.’ This advice referred to invasive pest wasps as a driver of population decline for moths and butterflies.