OIAD-2419
21 October 2022
Wendy Pond
[FYI request #20723 email]
Tēnā koe Wendy
Thank you for your Of icial Information Act request to the Department of Conservation,
received on 02 October 2022 in which you asked for:
1. Given that DOC is subject to this definition of consultation when applying for
permission to carry out aerial poisoning of forest ecosystems, please provide
documentation of consultation with the Society during planning for wholesale
poisoning of the Moehau and Papakai Public Conservation forests in 2013, 2017, and
2022, and note that notification is not consultation.
2. Given that the Society is well known to DOC managers — from our participation in
Environment Court proceedings, our submissions on resource consents, our
comprehensive publication on the Whangarahi catchment, our critical analysis of
DOC's predator control policy, and our concern to live in a poison-free landscape -- as
a materially interested and affected local group in the matter of protecting
ecosystems, please explain (a.) why consultation in 2013, 2017, and 2021/22 was
selective (some conservation groups were consulted when Manu Waiata Restoration
& Protection Society was not) and (b.) why DOC officers did not provide a means of
addressing our concerns, and note that DOC officers could not presume to know or
address our concerns without consulting us.
Our response to both your questions is detailed below.
Ahead of each of the Papakai and Moehau 1080 predator control operations you have
specified, the Department consulted with potentially affected parties, primarily iwi, hapū, and
adjacent landowners. We notified a broader range of parties, including concessionaires,
hunting groups, schools and medical centres.
The Department did not consult with Manu Waiata Restoration & Protection Society ahead of
the operations you have specified, as it was not identified as an affected party. I note that
Manu Waiata was notified in some instances, however you have excluded notification from
your request. We are therefore refusing your request for documentation of consultation with
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the Society under section 18(e) of the Of icial Information Act, as the information does not
exist.
You are entitled to seek an investigation and review of my decision by writing to an
Ombudsman as provided by section 28(3) of the Of icial Information Act.
Please note that this letter (with your personal details removed) may be published on the
Department’s website.
Nāku noa, nā
Ben Reddiex
Director, National Programmes
Department of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
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