Cost utility analysis of Department of Conservation and non-government organisation multiple-species conservation projects in New Zealand

Conservation management in New Zealand is a forever challenging area, with continual pressure to allocate funds in the most effective manner possible. Many studies have assessed the effectiveness of single-species projects however little focus has been placed on a recent management approach multiple-species projects, comparing public and 'private' projects. This research aims to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of multiple-species projects in regard to the conservation of threatened and endangered species. Three Department of Conservation managed projects, three trust managed projects and one project managed by the Department of Conservation, yet funded 'privately' were assessed. All of the trust managed projects were enclosed by predator-proof fences while the other projects relied on natural barriers and/or intensive predator control methods. Results indicated that Department of Conservation managed multiple-species projects are both more effective and cost-effective than those projects managed by trusts. While the trust managed projects are not so effective in improving national population totals, they are essential for ensuring regional biodiversity of threatened and endangered species. The objectives set by the projects appear to have a significant impact on their outputs. A number of recommendations for improving conservation efforts in the future were made. Most importantly, the development of a threatened and endangered species database to be contributed to by private, trust or community led projects as well as the Department of Conservation. Also the importance of standardised reporting techniques was highlighted to allow comparisons both over time and between projects to be made