Procedures and Guidelines for Reintroductions in Oceania
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In New Zealand, all translocations of native species in New Zealand must be conducted under the authority of the Department of Conservation (DoC). A "Standard Operating Procedure for Translocation of New Zealand's Indigenous Flora and Fauna" was developed in 2002, and this document contains a template for submitting a translocation proposal. The document is available in electronic form on DoC intranet system, so can be obtained from any DoC staff member (see contact people). The process is initiated by submitting a translocation proposal. Most proposals come from DoC staff, but anyone can submit a proposal. The proposal must be submitted to the DoC conservancies at both the source and release sites. The proposal must consider: objectives; effect on source population(s); effect at release site; proposed founder group; translocation methods; and monitoring/research/management requirements. The proposal must be consistent with any management plans for the areas involved, and be consistent with the Recovery Plan for the species involved if one exists. Proposals must ultimately be approved by the Regional Conservator(s) for the area(s) involved, and additional approvals are required for endangered species. Approval is also required from the current land owners at both the source and release site, and the tangata whenua. Tangata whenua refer to the Maori iwi ("tribes") or hapu ("sub-tribes") with traditional connection to the area(s). Most translocations involve a welcoming by tangata whenua at the time of release.
Check out the Guidelines for the Translocation of Threatened Plants in Australia, prepared by the Australian Network for Plant Conservation.