PCE comment on Tukituki Water Storage Project Land Exchange Application

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment provided comment to the Department of Conservation on a proposed land exchange related to the Tukituki Water Security Project in the Hawke’s Bay region made under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 (FTAA).

The applicant proposes 170 ha of private land, the Smedley Exchange Block, is swapped for 29.7 ha of Public Conservation Land. Based on information provided by the applicant the Commissioner considers that conservation values of land managed by the Department of Conservation could be enhanced overall, as required by the Act, but that some aspects of the proposal warrant further attention.

The Commissioner noted the importance of robust, up-to-date field assessments and adequate long-term pest and weed management commitments.

The application raises several questions that will be relevant for future land exchanges under the FTAA:

• How is enhanced conservation value assessed in practice?

• Should biodiversity, recreation, freshwater, and cultural and heritage values be weighted equally?

• When benefits are uncertain or in the future, how should they be treated?