Minutes 4 July 2012 - Environment Southland

Regional Services Committee – 4 July 2012
3 Public Forum, Petitions and Deputations
Cr Mason welcomed Eric Roy, the National MP for the Invercargill electorate, and
Mr Grant McGregor of the Aparima River Liaison Committee, to the meeting.
Mr Roy provided the Council with information on the Game Animal Council
(GAC), proposed to be established as part of a national wild game management
strategy, with a view to it becoming a statutory authority. The GAC’s prime role
would be to advise the Ministry of Conservation on issues pertaining to hunting
matters and the Ministry might consider and give responsibility to the various
sections of the animal hunting fraternity to manage certain responsibilities, e.g. to
the Fiordland Wapati Association.
Mr Roy explained that the Bill was currently before the Select Committee and that
over 400 submissions had been presented. The Government would commit
$50,000 into the initial establishment of the GAC and it intends to impose a levy
on all game animal trophies leaving New Zealand.
Mr Roy made the following comments in relation to the GAC:-
� it was not envisaged that there would be a restriction of current
New Zealand hunting practice;
� it is to give opportunities for the management to certain groups;
� it will provide for warranted enforcement officers to have a role where illegal
or unacceptable activities are taking place;
� it is envisaged that the Bill will set up a Council of nine to 11 members
appointed by the Ministry and drawn from a variety of sections – key is that
this is to reduce conflict and get better outcomes both environmentally and
in the management of issues creating current tension.
Mr Roy responded to various questions raised by the Councillors. He explained
that the GAC was needed for many reasons, such as the fact that many animals in
some places are pests and do not need to be encouraged to be shifted to other
places. Chairman Timms talked about a tool that the Council currently utilised, its
Regional Pest Management Strategy, and advised she was concerned that the GAC
would hold too much power and say, and would want to preserve numbers of
animals. Mr Roy advised that great care would be taken to craft legislation so that
it did not increase the numbers or availability of pest animals. Cr Guyton asked if
the powers of the new GAC would cross over the powers the Council holds.
Mr Roy stated that would not be the case, this was to segment off issues around
tension and to be designated in some specific areas. It was not to over-ride the
Ministry of Conservation or Local Government.
Cr Mason thanked Mr Roy for his presentation to the Council.
[Chairman Timms departed at 2.15 pm]
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