Department of Conservation job cuts 'a nightmare for New Zealanders'

The loss of more than a hundred experienced Department of Conservation staff is a blow for conservation says New Zealand First Labour Relations spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

Stewart explained "with this magnitude of job losses and vacant positions, we fear for the future of our conservation estate which we rely on the Department to protect and maintain.

"Wildlife and their habitat need protecting regardless of redundancies and new staff who have to be trained for the future.

"It is very short sighted and destructive for the Government to save a few dollars now and create a mess for future generations to clean up."

Stewart says the environment is a big money earner for the tourism industry and it's also better economics to retain appropriate funding and staffing levels.