Auckland march planned against Conservation Amendment Bill

More than 30 organizations, including Greenpeace, Forest & Bird, and various labor unions, have organized a ‘March for Nature’ in Auckland to protest the government’s proposed Conservation Amendment Bill. The march is scheduled to begin at Albert Park on Saturday, September 19, with participants expected to walk along Queen Street.

The coalition of protesters includes scientific societies, environmental charities, and outdoor recreation groups such as the NZ Botanical Society and Athletes for Nature. The opposition centers on the bill’s potential to allow commercial exploitation of public conservation land.

Greenpeace spokesperson Gen Toop expressed specific concern regarding proposed section 6A of the bill, which could require the Conservation Act to enable commercial development on conservation land ‘to the greatest extent practicable’. Opponents argue this could lead to the destruction of ancient forests, remote beaches, and significant natural landmarks like Mount Taranaki and Milford Sound for purposes such as mining, hotels, or parking lots.