Ecological Transitions challenges and reform options for better Protected Area outcomes

New Zealand’s protected area network needs an ecological transition to meet the agreed goal of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to protect at least 30% of its territory through ecologically representative and functional designations. This article examines key challenges and proposes three sets of policy reforms to enable such a transition: improving the current poor representativeness through boundary changes informed by contemporary scientific insights; simplifying designations to align protection strength with ecological contributions; and replacing the current outdated framework for visitor access with an ecological zoning framework that serves as the basis for proportionate access rules, drawing on the precautionary principle of decision making. Together, these reforms can improve ecological outcomes, while enabling compatible human access to a greater extent than is currently possible. In contrast, current government proposals to radically change conservation legislation in 2026 move in the opposite direction, risking a lose–lose–lose outcome for nature, communities and international commitments.