August 06, 2018
Boost in Māori on conservation boards
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage says 41 percent of conservation board members now identify as Māori and more than half are women.
She has announced 57 new appointments to the 15 conservation boards, which serve as a link between the Department of Conservation and the community.
DOC re-opened the nomination process in March because it wanted more diversity.
Ms Sage says boards will now have a greater focus on promoting recreation opportunities and tourism on conservation land, and enhancing relationships with iwi and hapu.
Among the new members are Taipari Munro and Jaycee Thomas on the Northland Conservation Board, Hauraki Gulf Forum member Nicola MacDonald of Ngāti Rēhua and Ngāti Wai on the Auckland board, former Waikato Regional Council Māori focus unit manager Melissa King Howell on the Waikato board, Hinemoa Wanikau and Georgine Winter on the Tongariro / Taupo Board and Te Atiawa Trust chair Harvey Ruru and Aneika Young at the top of the South Island.
Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu nominated former DOC contractor Dr Benita Wakefield, who has a PhD in kaupapa Māori environmental health management, to the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board, and consultant ecologist Rosemary Clucas to the Otago board.
It nominated its senior environment advisor and Te Rūnanga o Awarua member Estelle Pera-Leask to the Southland board.
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com