22148 (2025). Hon Marama Davidson to the Minister of Conservation

22148 (2025). Hon Marama Davidson to the Minister of Conservation: How many, if any, permits will be impacted by the passing of the Wildlife (Authorisations) Amendment Bill?

Hon Tama Potaka: The Department of Conservation advises me that there are more than 2000 active authorisations issued under the Wildlife Act 1953 and of these there are approximately 100 section 53 authorities relating to incidental kill. I am further advised there are also more than 500 existing authorisations where incidental killing is implicit. It is unclear as to what extent the High Court’s decision impacted the authorities where incidental kill is implicit versus directly authorised. Please note that the issuing of any individual authorisation does not necessarily mean that wildlife has been or will be harmed in relation to that authorisation. Authority holders are expected to avoid and minimise harm to protected species. The amendments to the Wildlife Act clarify how authorisations can be consistent with protecting wildlife and it gives authority holders certainty that their projects can continue lawfully