13 January 2004

Power's view on World Heritage "disappointing"

Conservation Minister Chris Carter has expressed his disappointment at the National Party's opposition to further world heritage sites being established in New Zealand.

"The World Heritage Convention is one of the world’s most successful and prestigious conservation initiatives. New Zealand currently has the honour of a place on the World Heritage Committee where we are ably represented by Tumu Te Heuheu. His nomination was supported by 100 of the 163 members of the convention.”

“We should all be very proud of New Zealand’s leadership in advancing the preservation of the world’s most precious cultural and natural heritage." Mr Carter said.

"One of the obligations we have as a signatory to the convention is to identify sites within New Zealand that potentially meet the exacting criteria required to achieve world heritage status. If we do proceed to nominate any new sites they would join the three established world heritage sites we have of Tongariro National Park, the Sub Antarctic Islands and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area which embraces the country from Mt Cook through to Fiordland."

"Rather than seeking to undermine the work of the Department of Conservation, National’s Simon Power should acknowledge that DoC’s management of our existing world heritage sites has been of the highest standard. Just last year, the president of the renowned Conservation International organisation, Russ Mittermeier, told me that New Zealand led the world in eradicating pests and enabling endangered species to be brought back from the brink of extinction. "

"At that time President Mittermeier was quoted as saying that he was extremely impressed with the focus, capacity, discipline and vision with which New Zealand approaches conservation issues. I accept that we can always do more in conservation and under this government we will be. " Mr Carter said.

ENDS

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