New polling shows strong public opposition to allowing the sale of conservation land, as the Government advances proposed changes to conservation law.
A Curia Market Research poll commissioned by Forest & Bird found 64 percent of voters oppose allowing public conservation land to be sold, including 46 percent who strongly oppose the idea.
Only 25 percent support allowing sales, while 11 percent are unsure.
Forest & Bird Group Manager for Conservation Advocacy and Policy Richard Capie says the message from voters is clear: conservation land should be protected, not put on the market.
The polling comes as the Conservation Amendment Bill remains open for public submissions. Forest & Bird says the proposed changes could make up to 60 percent of public conservation land eligible for sale or exchange.
Opposition was recorded across urban and rural communities, with 60 percent of Auckland voters, 68 percent of town voters and 63 percent of rural voters against allowing sales.
The strongest opposition was recorded in Wellington at 83 percent, followed by Christchurch at 63 percent and provincial cities at 59 percent.
Forest & Bird says the issue cuts across party lines, with many regular voters for Government coalition parties also opposed. The poll found 54 percent of National voters, 63 percent of ACT voters and 50 percent of New Zealand First voters opposed conservation land sales.
Nearly half of voters said they would be less likely to support a political party that backed allowing the sale of public conservation land.
Capie says political parties should pay close attention in an election year, warning that voters do not want treasured public places opened up for sale.
Forest & Bird is calling on all parties to reject provisions in the Conservation Amendment Bill that would make it easier to dispose of or exchange public conservation land.
The organisation says at a time when native species are under pressure, conservation land should be protected for nature, climate resilience and future generations.
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