Explanatory note
This note is not part of the order, but is intended to indicate its general effect.
This order, which comes into force on the 28th day after its notification in the Gazette, amends Schedules 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 7A of the Wildlife Act 1953 (the Act).
The amendments effect changes in the protection status of wildlife and make a large number of corrections to the names and descriptions of wildlife. Protection status has been changed for—
5 native bird species: spur-winged plover, brown skua (sea hawk), black shag, Australasian harrier, and grey teal:
15 introduced bird species or genera:
1 introduced frog species: southern bell frog:
2 introduced reptile species: rainbow skink and red-eared slider turtle:
21 native terrestrial invertebrate species of weta, beetle, snail, grasshopper, weevil, and katipo spider:
5 marine fish species: giant grouper, 2 species of shark, 2 species of ray:
2 orders of marine corals: stony and Gorgonian corals.
Some wildlife that was declared to be game in New Zealand generally (Schedule 1 of the Act) ceases to be game under Schedule 1 of the Act on the Chatham Islands and is included, in relation to the Chatham Islands, either in Schedule 3 (wildlife that may be hunted or killed if the Minister of Conservation issues a notice to that effect) or in Schedule 5 (unprotected wildlife). This is because wildlife declared to be game under Schedule 1 of the Act cannot be hunted on the Chatham Islands because there is no Fish and Game Council on the islands to perform the functions required by the Act in relation to game. Wildlife now included in Schedule 3 for the Chatham Islands is chukar, both grey and red-legged partridge, pheasant, and 3 species of quail. Canada goose is included in Schedule 5 for the Chatham Islands only.
Some wildlife that has been absolutely protected because it was not included in any schedule is now not protected (Schedule 5), or may be hunted or killed or possessed if the Minister issues a notice to that effect (wildlife listed in Schedule 3). Grey teal are included in Schedule 3 because they fly in formation with mallard ducks and are therefore easily shot in error by recreational hunters. The penalty for unauthorised shooting of Schedule 3 wildlife is significantly less than that for shooting absolutely protected wildlife.
Some terrestrial invertebrates and marine species that were unprotected because they were not in any schedule are now included in Schedule 7 or 7A and therefore are protected.
In Schedule 7, the author and year of publication of the formal species description are enclosed in brackets in some cases and not in others. This is deliberate. The author and year are not enclosed in brackets if the species retains its original scientific name. If the author and year are enclosed in brackets, this indicates that the genus name has been changed by taxonomic revision.