30729 (2025). Lan Pham to the Minister of Conservation

30729 (2025). Lan Pham to the Minister of Conservation: What is the Governments timeframe for implementation of more freshwater protected areas, if any, and would this timeframe be consistent with the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity target to conserve 30% of Land, Waters and Seas by 2030?

Hon Tama Potaka: As I stated in my response to WPQ 29607, New Zealand remains committed to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and its component goals and targets, including achieving 30% protection of land and of oceans globally by 2030. While New Zealand has not adopted the 30% by 2030 global target at a domestic level and is not currently working to implement more freshwater protected areas, the government has set national targets that are intended to contribute to the achievement of the global targets of the GBF. These national targets will be reported on through regular reporting to the Convention on Biological Diversity. As per my response to WPQ29607, New Zealand already has significant freshwater protection in place through a range of mechanisms, including freshwater protected as part of the public conservation estate.