Expanded powers for New Zealand rangers
A new bill was introduced to New Zealand Parliament on 2 December, aimed at protecting vulnerable native wildlife from smuggling, poaching and hunting.
The bill gives Department of Conservation (DOC) rangers new powers when they encounter offenses in progress, including the authority to arrest when a serious offense is occurring or there is an obstruction of investigation.
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry highlighted the need for the Wildlife Act 1953 to be modernised, saying that the Act’s enforcement powers hadn’t been updated for 60 years and were “hopelessly out of date”.
“For example, the Act currently specifies that rangers can only call for assistance from men, if they need help from a member of the public” Minister Barry said.
If the Wildlife (Powers) Amendment Bill is passed into law, DOC rangers will be given four new standard powers:
- The ability to take action to prevent an offence about to occur or in progress.
- Temporarily stop persons suspected of an offence to allow investigation.
- Seize a broader range of evidence such as laptops, cameras and mobile phones.
- Require identification details from suspected offenders.
Read DOC’s official Media Release for more information.
