# Minister of Conservation (New Zealand)

The minister of conservation is a minister in the New Zealand Government with responsibility for promoting conservation of the natural and historic heritage of New Zealand.
The current minister is Tama Potaka.

## History

The role of Minister of Conservation was established in 1987 alongside the formation of the Department of Conservation and the passage of the Conservation Act 1987.

## Responsibilities

The minister leads the government's work on conservation issues and is responsible for advocating on behalf of conservation outcomes in the natural resources sector. In that way, the minister works closely with the Minister for the Environment, the Minister of Energy and Resources, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, the Minister for Biosecurity, the Minister for Land Information, the Minister of Local Government, the Minister of Tourism and the Minister of Agriculture.
As the responsible minister for the Department of Conservation, the minister's portfolio overseas 30% of the land area in New Zealand. In addition to the Conservation Act 1987, the minister is responsible for the Wildlife Act 1953, the Marine Reserves Act 1971, the Wild Animal Control Act 1977, the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978, and the National Parks Act 1980. The minister has functions under the Resource Management Act 1991, including the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, approving regional coastal plans developed by local authorities, and acting as the local authority for the Kermadec and Subantarctic Islands.
The minister is responsible for acquiring land for conservation purposes, recommending the creation of national parks, granting concessions for activities on public conservation land, and establishing marine mammal sanctuaries and marine reserves.
The minister oversees and appoints members of the 15 regional conservation boards, the 29 reserves boards, the Fish & Game Council (and regional Fish & Game Councils), the Game Animal Council, the Game Bird Habitat Trust Board, the New Zealand Conservation Authority, and Predator Free 2050 Limited.
The Loder Cup awarded for conservation is presented by the minister.

## List of ministers
### Key

Labour  National  Alliance  Green
| No. | Name | Term of office | Term of office | Prime Minister |
| 1 | Russell Marshall | 1 April 1987 | 24 August 1987 | Lange |
| 2 | Helen Clark | 24 August 1987 | 30 January 1989 | Lange |
| 3 | Philip Woollaston | 30 January 1989 | 2 November 1990 | Lange |
| 3 | Philip Woollaston | 30 January 1989 | 2 November 1990 | Palmer |
| 3 | Philip Woollaston | 30 January 1989 | 2 November 1990 | Moore |
| 4 | Denis Marshall | 2 November 1990 | 30 May 1996 | Bolger |
| 5 | Simon Upton | 30 May 1996 | 16 December 1996 | Bolger |
| 6 | Nick Smith | 16 December 1996 | 10 December 1999 | Bolger |
| 6 | Nick Smith | 16 December 1996 | 10 December 1999 | Shipley |
| 7 | Sandra Lee | 10 December 1999 | 15 August 2002 | Clark |
| 8 | Chris Carter | 15 August 2002 | 31 October 2007 | Clark |
| 9 | Steve Chadwick | 31 October 2007 | 19 November 2008 | Clark |
| 10 | Tim Groser | 19 November 2008 | 27 January 2010 | Key |
| 11 | Kate Wilkinson | 27 January 2010 | 22 January 2013 | Key |
| (6) | Nick Smith | 22 January 2013 | 8 October 2014 | Key |
| 12 | Maggie Barry | 8 October 2014 | 26 October 2017 | Key |
| 12 | Maggie Barry | 8 October 2014 | 26 October 2017 | English |
| 13 | Eugenie Sage | 26 October 2017 | 6 November 2020 | Ardern |
| 14 | Kiri Allan | 6 November 2020 | 14 June 2022 | Ardern |
| 15 | Poto Williams | 14 June 2022 | 1 February 2023 | Ardern |
| 15 | Poto Williams | 14 June 2022 | 1 February 2023 | Hipkins |
| 16 | Willow-Jean Prime | 1 February 2023 | 27 November 2023 | Hipkins |
| 17 | Tama Potaka | 27 November 2023 | present | Luxon |