Nick Smith - so close and yet so far....

Conservation Minister Nick Smith pushed all the right buttons when he declined the Milford Dart tunnel project through conservation land.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8930108/Final-call-on-Milford-Tunnel-due

In his decision released yesterday, Smith explained that the $180 million project to link the Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks via tunnel was "beyond what was appropriate for a World Heritage Area".

It's virtually unthinkable for a Minister of the National government to place environmental concerns ahead of profits and jobs. Applause all round I would say.

Unfortunately Smith has undone much of the good work with this little bombshell released later the same day:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8934809/Nick-Smith-backs-1080-call

That's right our conservation Minister backs the plan to use more 1080.  He is OK with pouring more of this incredibly toxic crap all over the pristine countryside he wants so much to protect.

*sigh*

So it's one step forwards, and one back it seems.

(image - stuff.co.nz)

That's right Nick.  You were that close to gaining a great deal of support for your conservation stance.