23293 (2025). Hon Marama Davidson to the Minister of Conservation

23293 (2025). Hon Marama Davidson to the Minister of Conservation: What is his rationale, if any, on why the Wildlife (Authorisations) Amendment Bill was necessary when section 53B(4) of the Wildlife Act already requires the Director-General to be "satisfied that the overall effect of the authority would be consistent with the protection of individual wildlife only if satisfied that the holder of the authority will take reasonable steps (including by complying with any relevant conditions imposed on the authority) to avoid, minimise, and mitigate any adverse effects of the lawful activity on individual wildlife."?

Hon Tama Potaka: The Wildlife (Authorisations) Amendment Act introduced three new sections to the Wildlife Act (sections 53A, 53B and 53C). Section 53B(4) was inserted into the Wildlife Act following the passing of the Wildlife (Authorisations) Amendment Bill. These provisions were introduced because previously it was unclear how authorities permitting incidental killing could be consistent with protecting wildlife. Section 53B(4) needs to be read alongside the other new sections as a whole, in particular section 53B(5)(b). Together these new sections ensure that wildlife continue to be protected even in cases where some incidental harm occurs. Permits for incidentally killing wildlife will only be issued if doing so would not negatively impact the viability of protected wildlife populations.