Explanatory note

This Supplementary Order Paper amends the Game Animal Council Bill. Clause 4 of the Bill defines herd of special interest as being in a specified area as designated by the Minister of Conservation. Some existing game animal populations have a geographically limited range. Whitetail deer are only currently found on Rakiura/Stewart Island for example.

Himalayan tahr are currently managed with the aim of preventing any expansion in their feral range. Improved biodiversity protection for alpine plants could be achieved by reducing thar numbers and contracting their range in the central Southern Alps. The clause would help ensure that the establishment of herds of special interest does result in animal populations spreading beyond their existing feral range. This is important in controlling population numbers to reduce the browsing and other impacts of game animals on indigenous species and habitats.