Feedback on Biodiversity Proposals

The Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust (THBGT) feedback on the Predator Free 2050 (PF2050) strategy

The THBGT calls for a more inclusive, equitable, and community-driven approach to biodiversity conservation. Our recommendations focus on empowering local groups, prioritising education, integrating Indigenous knowledge, and ensuring transparency and collaboration in strategy implementation.

We stress the need for consistent funding to support predator control and community engagement, noting that volunteer reliance is unsustainable. We call for tangible support for communities, including financial aid, resources, and training to enhance participation.

We raise concerns about advocacy efforts, emphasising that awareness must be accompanied by action and addressing systemic barriers. We emphasise the importance of community trust, which is closely tied to effective communication and financial stability.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Mobilise for Action: Need for clear funding and training, with realistic community involvement goals and empowerment of local leaders.

  • Maintain the Gains: Ongoing funding and innovative tools are essential to sustain predator control achievements.

  • Innovate for Eradication: Advocate for a comprehensive approach that blends scientific and traditional knowledge, ensuring long-term management.

  • Prepare to Accelerate: Highlighting research gaps and recommending diverse funding strategies to secure predator control initiatives.

We urge for the inclusion of feral cats on the PF2050 national target list and call for integrated predator management strategies. We recommend transparency in data use, investment in community initiatives, and involvement of local leaders in decision-making processes, emphasising collaboration to meet PF2050 goals.

The Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust (THBGT) Feedback on Implementing New Zealand’s Biodiversity Strategy 2025-2030

We call for a more inclusive and equitable approach to biodiversity conservation, emphasising community empowerment, education, indigenous knowledge, and collaboration in strategy implementation.


Key Areas for Improvement

  • Community Group Inclusion: The strategy risks sidelining community groups due to centralised decision-making and insufficient consultation.

  • Funding Allocation: Disproportionate funding favours larger organisations, leaving smaller groups under-resourced and unable to sustain initiatives.

  • Education for Sustainability (EfS): Limited integration of EfS in schools, with only a small percentage of students engaged in relevant programs.

  • Transparency and Reporting: Lack of anonymised data-sharing frameworks discourages community contributions and fails to reflect local biodiversity priorities.

  • Nature-Based Solutions: Over-focusing on forest ecosystems neglects important non-forest habitats like wetlands and coasts that support biodiversity.

  • Volunteerism and Capacity Building: A declining volunteer base and insufficient resources hinder community-led conservation efforts.

  • Integration of Indigenous Knowledge: Current strategies do not adequately incorporate mātauranga Māori into biodiversity management.

Recommendations

  • Community Empowerment: Involve local groups in decision-making and provide tailored support to enhance grassroots initiatives.

  • Equitable Funding: Ensure fair funding distribution to support smaller community groups alongside larger organisations.

  • Enhance Education: Make EfS a core curriculum subject and provide teacher training to improve environmental education.

  • Improve Transparency: Develop systems for anonymised data sharing and include community input in biodiversity reporting.

  • Broaden Ecosystem Focus: Invest in non-forest ecosystems and demonstrate their importance through case studies.

  • Volunteer Engagement: Create strategies to attract and retain volunteers and provide necessary training.

  • Support Indigenous Practices: Involve Iwi and hapū in biodiversity management to incorporate indigenous knowledge effectively.

  • Foster Collaboration: Encourage partnerships between government, communities, and the private sector to ensure diverse voices in strategy development.

  • Prioritise Nature-Based Solutions: Focus on investments in non-forest ecosystems and local knowledge for biodiversity and climate efforts.

  • Build Capability: Address gaps in skills and resources by including community groups in educational planning.