Conservation changes to boost jobs and tourism across the Central Plateau economy

Fixing broken conservation laws will help grow the local economy, support tourism, and create more jobs across the Rangitīkei electorate, MP Suze Redmayne says.

“The current law is strangling economic activity on a third of New Zealand’s land. Right now, it can take more than two years for local businesses to get permission to operate on conservation land – and that’s simply not good enough,” Redmayne says.

“Across Rangitīkei, there are real opportunities to grow tourism, enhance conservation partnerships, and back local initiatives – but they’ve been stuck behind red tape and a system that too often says ‘no’.”

The Government is reforming the Conservation Act to fix the broken concessions process and make it easier for appropriate activity to get off the ground – including guided tours, infrastructure, and regional development projects.

“This is about unlocking growth, backing rural enterprise, and helping more people live and work in our region. It’s a practical, sensible change that will support the long-term future of our communities.

“These changes strike the right balance – protecting our natural environment, while saying yes to more jobs, higher wages, and opportunity throughout Rangitīkei.”