Conservation is in the too hard basket, Greens say

A "bitterly disappointed" Green Party has condemned the Government for allowing the Department of Conservation to slide into the red and cut 60 positions.

"It seems conservation has joined climate change and water quality in the too-hard basket," said MP Metiria Turei after yesterday's announcement that the cuts had to be made so DOC could live within its means.

The department had been facing an $8 million shortfall over the next three years.

Increased funding of $3.2 million a year announced in last week's budget was not enough to save 33 jobs in head office and 27 positions in the regions.

The specialist marine unit is going as well, and Ms Turei rejected the explanation that it had completed most of its work.

"New Zealand faces more and more critical marine issues...we need more work in the marine policy area," she said.

"DOC has obviously been instructed to spin good news stories rather than tell the truth about New Zealand's conservation challenges."

- NZPA