Vote Conservation - Environment - Estimates 2014/2015

Summary of the Vote#

Overview#

The Minister of Conservation is responsible for appropriations in the Vote for the 2014/15 financial year covering the following:

• working with communities to protect natural and historic resources ($24.346 million, 6% of the vote)
• services to control weed and animal pests on lands administered by the department in relation to regional pest management strategies ($3.292 million, 1% of the vote)
• the protection and conservation management of historic heritage ($5.996 million, 1% of the vote)
• management of natural heritage including the maintenance, restoration and protection of ecosystems, habitats and species ($160.303 million, 37% of the vote)
• recreational facilities and services, and the management of business concessions ($144.993 million, 34% of the vote)
• management services of natural and historic places, ongoing management and maintenance of the Moutua Gardens Reserve, and funding for projects for the Community Conservation Partnerships Fund ($6.564 million, 1% of the vote)
• a total of $415,000 for assistance to the Southland District Council for additional community infrastructure arising from increased visitor numbers (under 1% of the vote)
• a total of $6.675 million for other expenses to be incurred by the Crown (2% of the vote)
• identification and implementation of protection for natural and historic places, and policy advice, statutory planning, and services to ministers and statutory bodies ($21.508 million, 5% of the vote)
• departmental capital expenditure of $53.066 million (12% of the vote)
• non-departmental capital expenditure regarding crown land acquisitions and the purchase and development of reserves of $3.654 million (1% of the vote).

The Minister of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations is responsible for the Impairment of Public Conservation Land appropriation in the Vote for the 2014/15 financial year covering the following:

• a total of $50,000 (under 1% of the vote) for other expenses to be incurred by the Crown.

Details of these appropriations are set out in Parts 2-4.

Estimates of Appropriations#

Details of Appropriations and Capital Injections#

Annual and Permanent Appropriations

Capital Injection Authorisations

Supporting Information#

Part 1 - Vote as a Whole#

1.1 - New Policy Initiatives

New Policy Initiatives

Since 2008 tangata whenua, the Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation, Auckland Council and the Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty regional councils have joined forces in a coordinated programme to manage this disease. Scientists are conducting research to increase our knowledge of how the disease spreads and develop effective control methods with a long-term management programme. Work is also going into improving track construction, drainage and other man-made influences that will help reduce the spread of the disease so we can continue to be inspired by our unique Kauri forests.

1.2 - Trends in the Vote#

Summary of Financial Activity#

Note - where restructuring of the vote has occurred then, to the extent practicable, prior years information has been restated as if the restructuring had occurred before the beginning of the period covered.

Adjustments to the Summary of Financial Activity table due to Vote Restructuring#

There have been no restructuring adjustments to prior year information in the Summary of Financial Activity table.

1.4 - Reconciliation of Changes in Appropriation Structure#

Explanations of the reasons for changing the appropriation structure are noted in the details of each appropriation in Parts 2-4.

Part 2 - Details of Departmental Appropriations#

2.1 - Departmental Output Expenses#

Conservation with the Community (M16)

Scope of Appropriation

Expenses and Revenue

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation

This appropriation is intended to achieve the engagement of more people with conservation and increase their understanding of the benefits conservation provides. It is also intended to achieve conservation gains from building partnerships with others.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements

End of Year Performance Reporting

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported by the Department of Conservation in the Annual Report.

Current and Past Policy Initiatives

Reasons for Change in Appropriation

The decrease in appropriation of $1.154 million from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is mainly due to:

• prior year expense transfers of $926,000 in Budget 2013/14 which were not available in 2014/15 (decrease)
• additional funding of $529,000 for Treaty settlement implementation costs (increase)
• fiscally neutral adjustments of $500,000 from Multi-Category Policy Advice, Statutory Planning, and Services to Ministers and Statutory Bodies expenses to realign 2013/14 budgets with work plans (decrease).

Crown Contribution to Regional Pest Management (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses and Revenue#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the weed and animal pest outcomes arising from good neighbour and regional pest management plan negotiations.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

End of Year Performance Reporting#

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported by the Department of Conservation in the Annual Report.

Current and Past Policy Initiatives#

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The decrease in appropriation of $322,000 from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is due to prior year expense transfers in Budget 2013/14 not available in 2014/15.

Management of Historic Heritage (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses and Revenue#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the protection of New Zealand's history and bringing it to life for New Zealanders.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

End of Year Performance Reporting#

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported by the Department of Conservation in the Annual Report.

Current and Past Policy Initiatives#

Reason for Change in Appropriation#

The increase in appropriation of $431,000 from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is mainly due to fiscally neutral adjustments of $700,000 to other Departmental output expenses to realign 2013/14 budgets with work plans.

Management of Natural Heritage (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses and Revenue#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the maintenance and restoration of the diversity of New Zealand's natural heritage.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

End of Year Performance Reporting#

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported by the Department of Conservation in the Annual Report.

Current and Past Policy Initiatives#

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The decrease in appropriation of $4.633 million from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is mainly due to:

• funding of $4 million transferred in 2013/14 from Non-Departmental NZ Biodiversity Funds output expenses to support community biodiversity restoration initiatives (decrease)
• expense transfer of $4 million to 2015/16 due to alignment of funding with the timing of grants (increase)
• the delay in passing final legislation to transfer forest land of $3.371 million under Treaty of Waitangi settlements (decrease)
• net expense transfers of $3.027 million mainly due to delays in passing Treaty of Waitangi settlement legislation (increase)
• fiscally neutral adjustments of $2.700 million in 2013/14 from other Departmental output expenses to realign budgets to work plans (decrease)
• additional funding of $899,000 in 2013/14 only for the Conservation Services Programme.

Management of Recreational Opportunities (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses and Revenue#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve increased participation of people in recreation.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

End of Year Performance Reporting#

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported by the Department of Conservation in the Annual Report.

Current and Past Policy Initiatives#

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The decrease in appropriation of $3.571 million from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is mainly due to the following:

• prior year expense transfers of $6.727 million from Budget 2013/14 not available in 2014/15 (decrease)
• fiscally neutral adjustments of $2 million in 2013/14 to other Departmental output expenses to realign budgets with work plans (increase)
• funding of $1 million transferred in 2013/14 from Non-Departmental NZ Biodiversity Funds output expenses to support community biodiversity restoration initiatives (decrease)
• baseline funding increase of $1.091 million for depreciation of visitor assets (increase)
• expense transfer of $1 million to 2015/16 due to alignment of funding with the timing of grants (increase).

2.3 - Departmental Capital Expenditure and Capital Injections#

Department of Conservation - Capital Expenditure PLA (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation

Capital Expenditure

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation

This appropriation is intended to achieve the renewal and replacement of life-expired assets in support of the delivery of the Department of Conservation services.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements

Expenditure is in accordance with the Department of Conservation's intentions to enhance asset management.

End of Year Performance Reporting

Performance information for capital expenditure will be reported by the Department of Conservation in the Annual Report.

Capital Injections and Movements in Departmental Net Assets

Department of Conservation

Part 3 - Details of Non-Departmental Appropriations#

3.1 - Non-Departmental Output Expenses#

Community Conservation Partnerships Fund (M16)

Scope of Appropriation

Expenses

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation

This appropriation is intended to achieve support for private and community pest, weed and biodiversity restoration initiatives and was previously referred to as the NZ Biodiversity Funds.

End of Year Performance Reporting

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $5 million.

Service Providers

Reasons for Change in Appropriation

The increase in appropriation of $689,000 from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is due to the following:

• prior year expense transfers of $7.911 million from Budget 2013/14 not available in 2014/15 (decrease)
• expense transfer of $2.600 million due to alignment of funding with the timing of grants (increase)
• transfers of $5 million to other Departmental output expenses to support community biodiversity restoration initiatives (increase)
• net fiscally neutral adjustment for efficiency savings reduction of $1 million from Budget 2011/12 (increase).

Management Services - Natural and Historic Places (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve ongoing maintenance and access for the public to properties with historical or natural significance.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $5 million.

Service Providers#

Moutoa Gardens/Pakaitore (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve the ongoing maintenance of Moutoa Gardens Reserve.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $5 million.

Service Providers#

Stewart Island Infrastructure (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to achieve additional infrastructure on Stewart Island in support of increased visitor numbers.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported by the Department of Conservation in the Annual Report.

Service Providers#

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The increase in appropriation of $385,000 from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is due to expense transfers from 2013/14 to 2014/15 as a result of delays in confirmation of community funding.

3.4 - Non-Departmental Other Expenses#

Compensation Payments (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation

Expenses

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation

This appropriation is intended to meet the Crown's legislative obligations when esplanade reserves are created under section 289 of the Local Government Act 1974 and when coastal marine areas are vested.

End of Year Performance Reporting

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $5 million.

Depreciation - Crown Property, Plant and Equipment (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to maintain property, plant and equipment on Crown land administered by the Department of Conservation.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(ii) of the PFA, as additional performance information is unlikely to be informative because this appropriation is solely for payment of depreciation. Performance information relating to the management of Crown assets is provided under the Departmental output expense appropriation Management of Recreational Opportunities.

Impairment of Public Conservation Land (M74)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to provide for the impairment in value of Public Conservation land as part of Treaty of Waitangi Settlements.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $5 million.

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The decrease in appropriation of $3.002 million from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is due to the write-down of land subject to an iwi settlement in 2013/14.

Loss on Disposal of Crown Property, Plant and Equipment (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to provide for losses incurred on the disposal of Crown property, plant and equipment.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $5 million.

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The increase in appropriation of $1.925 million from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is due to an expense transfer from 2013/14 to 2014/15 that relates to the deferred Waitangi Endowment Forest write-off that is pending enactment of legislation.

Matauranga Maori Fund (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to support indigenous initiatives in the revival, use and retention of traditional Maori knowledge and practices in biodiversity management, and to promote biodiversity and ensure traditional knowledge and practices of Maori are respected and preserved in the management of our biodiversity and natural resources.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $5 million.

Service Providers#

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The increase in appropriation of $128,000 from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is due to an expense transfer from 2013/14 to 2014/15 that relates to commitments covering the 2014/15 year.

Payment of Rates on Properties for Concessionaires (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to meet Crown obligations for rates on conservation land.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $5 million.

Service Providers#

Provision for Bad and Doubtful Debts (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to provide for bad debts against Crown revenue.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $5 million.

Subscriptions to International Organisations (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to further New Zealand's interests in international conservation issues.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $5 million.

Service Providers#

Vesting of Reserves (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to provide for the protection of natural and historic places through vesting Crown reserves with local authorities and other parties.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $5 million.

Service Providers#

Waikaremoana Lakebed Lease (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to provide access to Lake Waikaremoana for conservation purposes.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $5 million.

3.5 - Non-Departmental Capital Expenditure#

Crown Land Acquisitions (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation

Capital Expenditure

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation

This appropriation is intended to protect heritage values on acquired or leasehold land.

End of Year Performance Reporting

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $15 million.

Purchase and Development of Reserves (M16)#

Scope of Appropriation#

Capital Expenditure#

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to protect heritage values by purchasing land for conservation purposes.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) is less than $15 million.

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

The decrease in appropriation of $2.265 million from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is mainly due to a prior year capital expenditure transfer from Budget 2013/14 not available in 2014/15.

Part 4 - Details of Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure#

Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure#

Identification and Implementation of Protection for Natural and Historic Places (M16)

Overarching Purpose Statement

Scope of Appropriation

Expenses, Revenue and Capital Expenditure

Comparators for Restructured Appropriation

The previous MCOA Identification and Implementation of Protection for Natural and Historic Places has been converted to a MCA in compliance with the PFA.

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation

This category is intended to achieve identification and protection of biodiversity and indigenous ecosystems on private land.

How Performance will be Assessed for this Appropriation

What is Intended to be Achieved with each Category and How Performance will be Assessed

End of Year Performance Reporting

Performance information for Nga Whenua Rahui will be reported by the Department of Conservation in the Annual Report.

An exemption was granted under s15D(2)(b)(iii) of the PFA, as the amount (or annual average equivalent) of Legal Protection Queen Elizabeth II, Nature Heritage Fund and South Island Landless Natives Act are less than $5 million.

Current and Past Policy Initiatives

Reasons for Change in Appropriation

This appropriation has been restructured in compliance with changes to the PFA. The increase in restructured appropriation of $6.156 million from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is due to:

• Legal Protection Queen Elizabeth II Budget 2012 increase of $1 million (increase)
• Nature Heritage Fund efficiency savings of $6.500 million from Budget 2012 (decrease), baseline funding increase of $5.612 million (increase), expense transfers of $5.074 million to 2014/15 and 2015/16 (increase), prior year expense transfers of $2.893 million from Budget 2013 not available in 2014/15 (decrease)
• Nga Whenua Rahui prior year expense transfers of $3.153 million from Budget 2013 not available in 2014/15 (decrease), expense transfers of $3 million to 2015/16 (increase), Budget 2012 increase of $2 million (increase)
• South Island Landless Natives Act expense transfers of $11.080 million to 2014/15 and 2015/16 (increase), prior year expense transfers of $9.064 million from Budget 2013 not available in 2014/15 (decrease).

Policy Advice, Statutory Planning, and Services to Ministers and Statutory Bodies (M16)#

Overarching Purpose Statement#

Scope of Appropriation#

Expenses, Revenue and Capital Expenditure#

Comparators for Restructured Appropriation#

The previous MCOA Policy Advice, Statutory Planning, and Services to Ministers and Statutory Bodies has been converted to a MCA in compliance with the PFA.

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This category is intended to achieve effective policy advice in support of Government priorities and the Department's outcomes.

How Performance will be Assessed for this Appropriation#

What is Intended to be Achieved with each Category and How Performance will be Assessed#

End of Year Performance Reporting#

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported by the Department of Conservation in the Annual Report.

Current and Past Policy Initiatives#

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

This appropriation has been restructured in compliance with changes to the PFA. The decrease in restructured appropriation of $677,000 from 2013/14 to 2014/15 is due to:

• Policy Advice prior year expense transfers of $1.177 million from Budget 2013 not available in 2014/15 (decrease)
• Statutory Planning, Services to Ministers and Statutory Bodies fiscally neutral adjustment of $500,000 to Departmental output expenses to realign 2013/14 budgets with work plans (increase).