Policy on dogs
Steve made this Official Information request to Department of Conservation
The request was successful.
From: Steve
Dear Department of Conservation,
Could you please inform me as to the policy DOC has towards dogs owned by the Department. Specifically land not recognised as a Park or Reserve?
Yours faithfully,
Steve
From: Alan Moran
Department of Conservation
Hi Steve,
Before actioning your request, can you please confirm that you meet section 12(1) of the Official Information Act as set out below.
12 Requests
(1) Any person, being—
(a) a New Zealand citizen; or
(b) a permanent resident of New Zealand; or
(c) a person who is in New Zealand; or
(d) a body corporate which is incorporated in New Zealand; or
(e) a body corporate which is incorporated outside New Zealand but which has a place of business in New Zealand,—
may request a department or Minister of the Crown or organisation to make available to him or it any specified official information.
Thanks you
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From: Steve
Dear Alan Moran,
Yes I can confirm that this request meets the requirements of section 12(1) of the Official Information Act.
Yours sincerely,
Steve
From: Alan Moran
Department of Conservation
Thanks Steve
Can we have your surname and address.
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From: Steve
Dear Alan,
Are you refusing to process this request unless I provide these details?
Yours sincerely,
Steve
From: Alan Moran
Department of Conservation
Hi Steve
My advice is that the department is entitled to your surname to distinguish you from other Steves. It is common practice for requesters to provide their full name. We will get by without an address
regards
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From: Alan Moran
Department of Conservation
Steve, can you please just check your actual request-is the first sentence meant to say dogs on land owned by the Department?
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From: Steve
My apologies yes. To confirm:
Could you please inform me as to the policy DOC has towards dogs on land owned by the Department. Specifically land not recognised as a Park or Reserve?
From: Michael Gee
Department of Conservation
Hello Steve
The information you seek about government policy towards dogs on public
conservation land is all in the public domain.
The main information on dog access to public conservation land can be
found at:
[1]http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreat...
As information in this link explains, our conservation land is vitally
important for the survival of endangered species. Many of our native birds
are flightless and have few or no defences against predation. They need as
much protection as we can provide as even the most obedient, domesticated
dogs and cats can reveal their expert predator instincts in the wild. A
dog is capable of sniffing out and killing a kiwi with ease and
uncontrolled dogs can easily kill remaining kiwi populations. Controlling
dog access also protects and respects other people’s right to use and
enjoy public conservation land.
Above this, there is the General Policy for National Parks which includes
the following policy:
8.5 Animals
8.5(a). Animals (including pets) will not be permitted to be taken into a
national park unless they have been specifically authorised by the
National Parks Act 1980, a national park bylaw or national park management
plan.
and the Conservation General Policy applying to all other areas, which
includes the following policy:
9.6 Animals
9.6 (a) Animals (including pets) will not be permitted to be taken into
public conservation lands and waters unless this is consistent with
legislation and specifically provided for in conservation management
strategies or plans.
If you require further information, please contact Michael Gee (contact
details below).
Michael Gee
Senior Policy Advisor
Policy and Regulatory Services Group—Kahui Manutataki
Department of Conservation—Te Papa Atawhai
National Office | 18-32 Manners Street | PO Box 10420 | Wellington
Tel: +64 4 471 0726 |
Conservation for prosperity Tiakina te taiao, kia puawai
[2]www.doc.govt.nz
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References
Visible links
1. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreat...
2. http://www.doc.govt.nz/
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Alex Harris left an annotation ()
I find it useful to include boilerplate statig that I am an NZ citizen in all my requests. Any refusal to accept that statement can then be challenged through the Ombudsman as prima facie unreasonable.
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