The report of the Biodiversity Collaborative Group has been published today (26 October), with a draft RMA National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity and recommendations on complementary measures to support biodiversity protection. Ministers Sage and Mahuta formally received the report from the group this afternoon.
The report can be found here: https://www.biodiversitynz.org/
The BCG’s press release is here: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1810/S00351/collaborative-report-a-breakthrough-for-biodiversity.htm
The response from Minister Mahuta can be found here: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/indigenous-biodiversity-report-released
The report and draft NPS has been a result of about 18 months of work by the group, which was originally commissioned by Nick Smith and includes representatives of Forest and Bird, Federated Farmers, Forest Owners Association, EDS, Electricity Generators and iwi advisors. DOC has been heavily involved as active observers on the group, along with MfE, MPI, LINZ and TPK.