The government has agreed to change the law to help protect more than 35,000 internationally endangered species where unsustainable trade threatens their survival in the wild.
Eugenie Sage. File image. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
The changes will be made by amending the Trade in Endangered Species (TIES) Act 1989, according to Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage.
"This is a big step forward in strengthening the management of international trade in endangered, threatened and exploited species. The Cabinet decisions follow the release of a discussion document in September 2019 and public submissions," Sage said.
"Proposed changes to the TIES Act will ensure that New Zealand can continue to protect significant plants and wildlife from around the world to the highest standard."
She was particularly interested in the import, export and sale of elephant ivory.
"I am pleased to announce the proposal to ban the domestic sale of any items made with ivory from elephants killed after 1975, which is when elephants began to be protected from international trade under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)."
The import and export of all elephant ivory is also proposed to be banned, with narrow exemptions to ensure elephant ivory items can still be traded by museums, for DNA testing and testing to determine age, and that antique musical instruments with correct permits can still be carried across the border.
Other planned changes to the TIES Act focus on improving the regulatory system at the border to better manage international wildlife trade and stop illegal trade.
An amendment bill will be drafted incorporating the proposed changes.
Sage said it was planned for introduction to the next Parliament after the election to be referred to Select Committee after its first reading.
