To the Honourable Members of the New Zealand Parliament,

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Aotearoa New Zealand and concerned individuals worldwide, strongly urge you to reject the recent amendment to the Wildlife Act that permits the killing of kiwi and other native wildlife for infrastructure projects.

Our Concerns:

This amendment poses a significant threat to New Zealand's unique and vulnerable native wildlife, including our iconic kiwi. We are deeply concerned about the potential negative impacts, including:

 * Increased Risk of Harm and Death: Legalizing the killing of protected species for development will inevitably lead to a direct increase in wildlife mortality.

 * Undermining Conservation Efforts: This amendment undermines decades of dedicated work to protect and recover threatened populations, sending a damaging message to conservationists and the public.

 * Precedent for Further Harm: This decision could set a dangerous precedent, making it easier for economic interests to override essential wildlife protections in the future.

 * Threat to Endangered Species: With a high percentage of our native birds and reptiles already facing extinction, this law could push many closer to the brink, making recovery efforts even more difficult or impossible.

 * Damage to New Zealand's International Reputation: Our nation's global standing as a leader in conservation will be severely tarnished by a law that prioritizes development over the lives of our precious native species.

 * Weakening Foundational Environmental Law: The Wildlife Act has been a cornerstone of environmental protection in New Zealand. This amendment weakens its fundamental purpose and the principles of biodiversity protection.

 * Overruling Court Decisions: By directly overriding a recent High Court decision upholding stricter wildlife protections, this amendment undermines the crucial role of the judiciary in safeguarding our environment.

 * Lack of Public Consultation: Passing this bill under urgency limited essential public consultation and debate, raising serious concerns about democratic processes and environmental governance.

We call upon the New Zealand Parliament to:

 * Immediately repeal this damaging amendment to the Wildlife Act.

 * Reaffirm its commitment to the protection and conservation of New Zealand's native wildlife.

 * Prioritize genuine and comprehensive consultation with the public and conservation experts on any future legislation impacting our environment.

 * Strengthen, not weaken, environmental protections to ensure the long-term survival of our unique biodiversity.

We believe that the intrinsic value of our native wildlife and the health of our ecosystems must take precedence over short-term economic gains that come at the cost of irreversible biodiversity loss. Future generations depend on the stewardship we demonstrate today.

Ashton from Whakatane

ashtontaipeti@gmail.com