The objective of this bill is to reduce offending against wildlife by improving the powers available to effectively detect and investigate offences and apprehend offenders.

The bill seeks to address a potential conflict between the constitutional and trusteeship roles of the Governor-General and Ministers as ex officio members of the Waitangi National Trust Board. The bill also provides for the Trust Deed and the Waitangi National Trust Board Act 1932 to provide fixed terms of appointment for Board members.