''The group has a rather different perspective than previously, with fewer recognised conservationists,'' conservationist Emeritus Prof Sir Alan Mark said.
Conservation boards are the link between the community and the Department of Conservation, and advise on their region's strategic direction.
Their roles were reviewed by Minister for Conservation Nick Smith last year following the reorganisation of the Department of Conservation, in which the Otago Conservancy was disbanded.
Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner announced the government appointments to boards around New Zealand yesterday.
The new boards would have a greater focus on promoting recreation opportunities and tourism on conservation land, and enhancing relationships with iwi, she said.
Otago's nine-person board would cover the same area it had in the past, including Mt Aspiring National Park and the Catlins.
When it holds its first meeting in June, Ngai Tahu representatives Francie Driver, of Alexandra, and Dr Jim Williams, of Dunedin, will be the only members to continue from the previous board.
New chairman, Millers Flat farmer Pat Garden, will lead a board with six new public appointees.
They have diverse backgrounds. Vance Boyd runs Kiwi Discovery in Queenstown, Jason Gaskill is general manager of Tourism Waitaki, Ann Lockhart is Queenstown's Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Andrea Ludemann is from the rural sector in Oamaru, Dr Anna Thompson is a co-director of the Centre for Recreation Research at the University of Otago, and Bruce Jefferies is an adviser to global body IUCN and a former conservator.
Mr Garden said he had a keen interest in the land and its environment.
He was excited about the board's new direction of empowering partnerships with communities.
''I hope we'll be more than passive communicators of how the public thinks and be a catalyst as well.''
Sir Alan said Mr Jefferies was a highly respected and well-recognised conservationist but the rest of the board reflected the Government's tourism and recreation focus.
He was surprised at the lack of continuity from the previous board, which was unusual, and would create added challenges and responsibilities for the board.
''It's a concern to see such a minimal roll-over.''
However, it was encouraging and reassuring the Otago boundary had been retained, he said.
''It's one highlight.''
The first public meeting of the new board will be on July 3 and 4 in Dunedin.
Otago Conservation Bd
Boundaries remain same
New public members: Pat Garden (chairman), Millers Flat; Vance Boyd, Queenstown; Jason Gaskill, Oamaru; Bruce Jefferies, Wanaka; Ann Lockhart, Wanaka; Andrea Ludemann, Oamaru; Dr Anna Thompson, Dunedin.
Statutory appointments: Francie Diver, Ngai Tahu (reappointed); Jim Williams, Ngai Tahu (appointment runs until July 2015).
