July 26, 2016
Predator plan cheap politics
Labour’s conservation spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says the new Predator Free New Zealand strategy shifts responsibility for killing the nation’s pests on iwi, councils and the private sector without putting up the money needed.
The Government yesterday set the aspirational goal of having New Zealand predator free by 2050.
It will set up a new organisation, Predator Free New Zealand Limited, which will work with iwi and community groups on projects that will attract a $1 government subsidy for every $2 they raise from the private sector and local government.
Ms Mahuta says the money earmarked so far is just to set up a public private partnership, and there is not one dollar to actually kill any possums, stoats or rats.
She says the years of funding cuts by National have blunted the work of the Department of Conservation, while 25 million native birds are killed each year by predators.
Greens spokesperson Kevin Hague says an Auckland University study estimated the cost of making New Zealand predator free is $9 billion, so what the Government is offering is a drop in the bucket.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com