Schedule 7 - Approvals relating to Wildlife Act 1953

“wildlife approval” means a lawful authorisation for an act that would otherwise be an offence under the Wildlife Act 1953, for instance, hunting, killing, buying or selling protected or partially protected wildlife.

Information requirements: referral applications

The information required in a referral application is set out in s 13 (see Fast-track Approvals Act: Information requirements for referral applications section). No further specific information is required for referral applications under this Schedule.

Information requirements: substantive applications 

In addition to general information requirements in the Act, an application for a wildlife approval must include: ^{bd7e4e2a-7570-4b77-849a-5ca59284b26f}  

• The purpose of the proposed activity
• The actions the applicant wishes to undertake involving protected wildlife and where they will be carried out
• An assessment of the activity and its impacts
• List of protected wildlife species known or predicted to be in the area, and where possible, the numbers of wildlife present and numbers likely to be impacted
• The impacts on threatened, data deficient and at-risk wildlife species
• The methods proposed to conduct the actions involving protected wildlife will ensure that best practice standards are met
• The methods to be used to safely, efficiently, and humanly catch, hold or kill the animals and identify relevant animal ethics processes
• The location or locations in which the activity will be carried out, including a map
• Whether authorisation is sought to temporarily hold or relocate wildlife
• List of all actual and potential wildlife effects of the proposed activity, including effects on the target species, other indigenous species, and the ecosystems at the site
• Where adverse effects are identified, state what methods will be used to avoid and minimise those effects and any offsetting or compensation proposed to address unmitigated adverse effects
• Whether the applicant of any company director, trustee, partner or anyone else involved in the application has been convicted of any offence or has any current criminal charges under the Wildlife Act 1953
• Proof and details of all consultation, including with hapū or iwi, on the application specific to wildlife impacts
• Any additional written views, advice or opinions the applicant has obtained with respect to the proposal.

In addition to consultation requirements in s 53 of the Act (see Fast-track Approvals Act: Invitation for comment section), certain authorities must be invited to provide written comments on the application including:

•  The New Zealand Conservation Authority; and
• Relevant Conservation Boards; and
• The New Zealand Fish and Game Council; and
• The Game Animal Council

The Panel’s decision 

When considering an application for a wildlife approval, the panel must take into account: ^{da5ff69c-81a5-492c-82c4-23d21a0cc9c7}  

• The purpose of the Fast Track Approval Act, which is to facilitate the delivery of infrastructure and development projects with significant regional or national benefits
• The purpose of the Wildlife Act 1953, and the effects of the project on the protected wildlife covered by the approval; and
• Information and requirements relating to the protected wildlife that is to be covered by the approval.

When considering all the above, the panel must give the greatest weight to the purpose of the Act.

Conditions

A panel may set any conditions on a wildlife approval that it considers necessary to manage the effects of the activity on the protected wildlife. In setting any conditions the panel must: ^{3f23c4c0-629b-422b-ac5c-51d6264ae6b6}

• Consider whether the condition would avoid, minimise, or remedy any impacts on protected wildlife that is to be covered by the approval
• Where more than minor impacts on protected wildlife cannot be avoided, minimised or remedied, ensure that they are offset or compensated where possible; and
• Take into account, the New Zealand Classification System or any relevant international conservation agreement that may apply in relation to the protected wildlife that is to be covered by the approval.

Status of wildlife approval

A wildlife approval granted under the Act has the same force and effect, according to its terms and conditions, as if it were granted under the Wildlife Act 1953. 

Last updated at 7:41PM on February 7, 2025