People who are passionate about protecting kauri are getting more chances to have their say on a new plan for managing dieback disease.
In response to strong community interest, the Kauri Dieback Programme is widening its current round of public consultation and community meetings about future management options for the disease.
This will include 3 further public meetings, which have been added to a series of meetings already underway in kauri regions, and an extension of the consultation period for anyone who wants to have their say.
"We're really pleased that so many people in the community have expressed an interest in plans to protect kauri into the future, which is why we are extending our consultation process and adding more public meetings to give more people a chance to have their say," says John Sanson, manager recovery and pest management for Biosecurity New Zealand.
"Community and public feedback is an integral part of us making sure we have the best possible plan and structure in place to protect kauri into the future," Mr Sanson says.
"We thank everyone who has taken the time so far to contribute their feedback, and encourage anyone else with an interest to have their say, either through attending one of the meetings or making a submission via our other channels."
The 3 additional meetings will take place in Omapere on Wednesday 12 September, and in Kerikeri and Waitākere on Thursday 13 September. To give people time to consider their feedback after the extra meetings, the submission closing date has also been extended to Tuesday 18 September 2018.
Nine public meetings have already been held across kauri regions as part of the consultation. Feedback from all of the meetings will be collated over the coming weeks along with other submissions received.
Find out more about the consultation
Mr Sanson says community discussion from the meetings held to date has been constructive, with strong attendance in many areas, and good cross-representation.
The Kauri Dieback Programme is a collaborative partnership between Biosecurity NZ, which coordinates the Programme, and tangata whenua, the Department of Conservation, the Auckland Council, and the Waikato, Northland, and Bay of Plenty Regional Councils.
New meeting details
When |
Where |
Time |
---|---|---|
Wednesday 12 September |
Copthorne Hotel |
6.30pm to 9.00pm |
Thursday 13 September |
Woodlands Motel & Conference Venue |
10.00am to 12.30pm |
Thursday 13 September |
Arataki Visitor Centre |
6.30pm to 9.00pm |