20 Oct 2023

Environmental group launches legal challenge to Mt Messenger Wildlife Act Authority

From Morning Report, 6:19 am on 20 October 2023

A Department of Conservation decision could result in the deaths of up to forty-six species - including kiwi - during the construction of the Mt Messenger bypass in Taranaki, an environmental charity says.

The Environmental Law Initiative is seeking judicial review of a Wildlife Act authority granted in December 2021 by DOC, enabling the work to go ahead.

They say the decision contradicts the purpose of the Wildlife Act.

A senior legal adviser from the group, Allan Brent, spoke to Ingird Hipkiss