Hauiti Claudette: Conservation (Natural Heritage Protection) Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHauiti Claudette: Conservation (Natural Heritage Protection) Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 04 September 2013. Volume:693;Page:13295. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CLAUDETTE HAUITI (National):Tēnā koe Mr Assistant Speaker.Hōmai tekārearea kiatoromahangatia. Ko tekāhu tewhakaorawaiho kia rereana.[Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker.Thekārearea must be snared and thekāhu saved—let it fly on.]To the children ofTāneMāhuta be vigilant to who is friend and who is foe. The Conservation (Natural Heritage Protection) Bill introduces increased penalties for offences under the Conservation Act 1987 the National Parks Act 1980 the Reserves Act 1977 the Wildlife Act 1953 and the Wild Animal Control Act 1977 as well as associated by-laws and regulations. The bill is of interest to all New Zealanders and more specifically to councils statutory bodies that administer any of these Acts as well as people whose activities will be governed by the Acts—for example recreational and commercial hunters developers whose activities might unlawfully kill wildlife and people who recreate or operate businesses in reserves and conservation management areas.Globally wildlife-smuggling was last year estimated to be worth about US$40 billion ranking third behind narcotics and arms-smuggling. High-profile prosecutions in Aotearoa New Zealand have involvedkākā parrot eggs and chameleons. This bill is a response for tougher penalties. This bill sends a clear message that the theft and pillaging of our native animals and native plants will no longer be tolerated. In 2007 customs made two prosecutions and 3 years later in 2010 six were laid. This year has so far seen two prosecutions. In 2011mokomoko or geckos rescued from smugglers in Christchurch were thought to have been recaptured again and smuggled out of the country. In that instance customs became aware of the smuggling only when researchers noticed that animal numbers were below natural prediction.The New Zealand Customs Service has seen an increase in prosecutions made against people taking native flora and fauna offshore for the black market. This bill significantly increases penalties for offending. Whether the theft is motivated by commercial gain or reward or even if it is not motivated by gain or reward but by somequeer and bizarre desire to have the taonga as a curio piece or pet the purpose of the bill is to create a strong deterrent and to penalise the most serious offending with some severity. Insects orchids and geckos are particularly fancied by collectors but so too are insects specifically ourwētā. Our native species are for sale on websites all over the world. Insects like our beautifulwētā are hard to breed and may live for no more than 2 years. Worldwide orchid trade is booming with smuggling of New Zealand orchids on the rise. Anything different or unusual is collectable.For individuals there is a term of imprisonment not exceeding 5 years a fine not exceeding $300000 or both. For bodies corporate there is a fine not exceeding $300000. For a continuing offence there is a further fine not exceeding $20000 per day. New Zealand’smokomoko or geckos can be worth in excess we have heard of six-figure sums. They have become very popular in Europe and the United States. A reptile fair in Germany attracted 11000 visitors and one in Florida turned over US$6 million in reptile sales in a single weekend.Additionally the Local Government and Environment Committee recommends extending the bill to include the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 and to update the penalty regime in that Act to bring consistency to the penalties administered by the Department of Conservation. This recommendation will interest commercial fishers and people who operate within the limits of New Zealand fishery waters.This bill sends a strong message that we take the protection of Aotearoa New Zealand’s wildlife and natural areas very seriously. Actions that damage or endanger our wildlife and natural areas put our protected species good international reputation and tourism industry at risk. This bill will complement further smuggling deterrence measures that are soon to be introduced by the Minister of Conservation and will increase fines for wildlife-smuggling to 5 years in jail and $300000. Any overlap between the two bills dealing with smuggling will be addressed and sorted at the select committee phase. This bill also complements our efforts since being elected to boost the conservation estate better protect our great outdoors and strengthen conservation across our country. A consistent approach to penalties across the laws administered by the Department of Conservation will ensure appropriate and effective penalties punishments and enforcement.New Zealanders pride themselves on our clean green image. It is imperative that we look after our natural environment. It is our greatest asset. Vote Conservation is now $444 million almost double the $226 million in 2001-02. We are investing in recovery programmes for 35 percent more threatened species under this Government. We also intend to review New Zealand’s threatened species management framework. Our natural environment is a valuable resource that we need to protect and preserve. I commend this bill to the House.