Mrs Dean's Conservation (Natural Heritage Protection) private member's Bill, which was drawn out of the ballot at Parliament on Thursday, proposes to increase penalties for offences committed in National Parks and nature reserves.
Under the Bill, fines for offences at reserves and national parks would come into line with each other, offences conducted in each carrying a fine of $10,000 or a two-year jail term.
The average fine for stealing the eggs of absolutely protected wildlife would increase from $500 to $2000 and jail terms for those caught stealing eggs would increase from six months to two years.
Mrs Dean said she wanted to see the country's wildlife and natural and historic resources better protected, and added the Bill would also encourage compliance with Department of Conservation (Doc) regulations.
"The main change will be to increase penalties and implement a consistent approach across the main regulations administered by Doc.
"The maximum penalty for an offence on a reserve is $500 or one month's imprisonment. This would mean if someone committed an offence on a nature reserve, say for example released a stoat on Kapiti Island, the highest penalty would be $500 or one month's imprisonment.
"Under the National Parks Act [1980] if part of a national park was carved off and converted to pasture or a stand of trees milled the highest penalty is a maximum fine of $2500 or three months' imprisonment. If, however, the same offences happened in a conservation area such as Kaimanawa Conservation Park, the maximum penalty would be $10,000 or 12 months or $80,000 if the offender was a company."
The anomalies were "odd", as national parks protected higher values than conservation areas, she said.
The Bill would introduce a more consistent approach across all Doc-managed land, she said.
The Bill would also help protect the Otago skink, which was becoming increasingly attractive to those involved in the illegal smuggling of endangered wildlife.
"Here in New Zealand we have a clean green image and it's imperative we maintain this approach. Kiwis and our visitors value our natural environment. It's an important part of our way of life." Doc coastal Otago area manager Robin Thomas said the proposals for increased fines were "fantastic news".
"We would really welcome it. I believe it is very much a step in the right direction."
