Note: Scroll down at the link to February 14, 15, 16 and 18 to see the earlier articles to this series.
This whole raruraru (trouble) in Whitianga and beyond, demonstrates that the Department of Conservation is dysfunctional, and treats local residents and local government alike with arrogance.
The public experiences the Department of Conservation as a law unto itself. It does not inform local authorities, it does not follow its own consultation guidelines, and it breaches statutes.
For example, the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act under which DoC receives consents for aerial poisoning requires :
- caution where there is scientific or technical uncertainty ( Section 7);
- protection of Maori taonga (Section 8)
- and consultation ( Section 5).
READ MORE
http://kapitiindependentnews.net.nz/disturbances-in-whitianga-5-breaches-and-aggression/
Environmental Health Watch NZ 