Summary: Report on DoC Land Exchange (published 29 October 2026)

Criteria	Finding	Reference
Landscape Values	Net loss under scenarios 1 & 2 Slight gain under Scenario 3	p.77 / para. 392
Conservation values (Terrestrial & Freshwater)	Net loss	p.77 / para. 394
Cultural and heritage values	No enhancement, or loss Concerns raised by tangata whenua are acknowledged, and would need to be addressed	p.77 / para. 396
Recreation values	Gain under scenarios 2 & 3	p.77 / para. 397
WWU Assessment of report’s findings (pp. 87-89 / paras 507- 519 )
The report tries to cover all bases, with identified losses often mitigated by Scenario 3 proposals; Identifies a net loss of aquatic and wetland conservation values under all 3 scenarios; The language in the report is imprecise, giving a strong environmental message in some areas which is then diluted in other areas; Key findings are: "The land exchange would not deliver an overall enhancement in all conservation value subject areas …” (para. 518); and “Freshwater, terrestrial biodiversity and cultural heritage remain areas of net loss” (para. 518). 5.  The closing statement is as predicted: “Should the Panel recommend the exchange proceed, then the conditions included in Appendix 10A are those the D-G considers sensible to ensure the purpose of the FTAA (Fast Track Approvals act) is met.”
WWU Conclusions:
The report’s content clearly shows an overall net loss to our conservation estate; The report writers were not asked to make a recommendation – this falls to a yet-to-be-appointed Fast Track Panel;   There is over-reliance on Scenario 3 conditions which the dam builders added after the draft report was released, and a big assumption that these conditions will be implemented and monitored long after the contracts have been signed and those holding the pen have departed; Assessment of possible outcomes under Scenario 3 is totally subjective, but offers a get-of-jail-free card that could allow the proposed land exchange to proceed; Much will now depend on how politically independent and environmentally conscious the yet-to-be-appointed Panel is; It's disgusting that we find ourselves in this position where we're delegating a decision about continued ownership of our already publicly-owned conservation land to an unelected panel.