Conservation Amendment Bill 2026

Possible public outdoor access implications

Submissions close 2 July 2026.

The Conservation Amendment Bill 2026 is a proposal to change how New Zealand’s conservation land is managed. It is currently before a parliamentary select committee, with public submissions open until 2 July 2026.

Conservation land is public land managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). It includes national parks, conservation parks, scenic reserves, recreation reserves, and the stewardship land that connects them. Most of it is open to the public for free.

This guide explains the parts of the bill that are most relevant to public outdoor access — things like walking on conservation land, using tracks and huts, fishing alongside rivers, and how land might be sold or swapped in future.

Submitters who want to comment on access may want to consider the following clauses in the bill: 

Free access

The bill confirms that the public may access and use conservation areas free of charge. 

Clause 13 creates a new section 10 that retains protection of free access to conservation areas, with new qualifications:

• The Minister may charge international visitors for use of paths and tracks only. Domestic visitors cannot be charged for track access under this provision.
• As is the case under the current legislation, DOC may impose a “reasonable charge” for use of facilities, such as huts, visitor centres and car parks in any conservation area, with no distinction between domestic and international visitors.
• People with a concession or other consent — including anyone running a camping area, parking area, or structure — may charge a reasonable fee for access to those facilities.

Exclusive-use concessions 

Clause 23 creates a new section 14ZB, which allows some concession holders to have exclusive possession of an area, thereby preventing the general public from entering.

Economic opportunities 

Clause 23 creates a new section 14 (Part 3B purpose), enabling the Minister to make concession decisions “in a way that recognises the economic opportunities that arise from the use and development of the natural resources and historic resources of conservation areas” and to enable their development “to the greatest extent practicable.”

Land exchange

Clause 23 creates new sections 15A–15I to address land exchanges. It allows the Minister to authorise a land exchange if a “net conservation benefit” will result. This means the incoming land must have greater natural or historic resource value than the land being given away.

Public access implications of land exchanges are not explicitly listed among the matters the Minister must consider when deciding whether to exchange land — unlike disposals (see section 15O below).

Land disposal

Clause 23 creates new sections 15J–15V, which deal with land disposal. Section 15O(2)(a)(vii) says the Minister must consider the effects on public access, including the extent to which the land currently provides for it, and how access might be addressed in conjunction with the disposal, for example, by securing easements. 

Clause 47 creates a new Schedule 5 listing the types of land that cannot be exchanged or disposed of. Schedule 5 does not include conservation parks, stewardship areas, recreation reserves, historic reserves, most scenic reserves, and government purpose and local purpose reserves.

Public notification 

Clause 23 creates new sections 14R and 14S, which propose changes to public notification and hearing rights for the granting of concessions.

Marginal strips 

Clause 23 creates a new section 14ZC, which allows the Minister to grant concessions or leases over marginal strips. Marginal strips alongside waterways are a key public access mechanism, particularly for anglers and recreational users.