The government is proposing to give Department of Conservation (DoC) rangers the power to arrest suspected smugglers and poachers.
Poaching, or smuggling protected species was unacceptable, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry said. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry introduced legislation to the House today to amend the Wildlife Act.
Under the Act, DoC is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of crimes against native wildlife.
But Ms Barry said the Act's enforcement powers had not been updated for 60 years and in many cases were hopelessly out of date.
If the bill was passed, DoC rangers' powers would include the authority to make arrests in cases of serious offences and to seize evidence such as laptops, cameras and mobile phones.
Ms Barry said poaching, smuggling or hunting protected species was completely unacceptable.
