Pursuant to section 5(5) of the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978, and to a delegation from the Minister of Conservation, the Operations Manager, David Butt, notifies that he has received a permit application from ARDS Limited (Steve Hathaway) to film marine mammals in the upper North Island.

A copy of the application can be obtained from the Department of Conservation, Christchurch Shared Services Unit, Private Bag 4715, Christchurch Mail Centre, Christchurch 8140 or online at http://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/have-your-say/open-for-your-comment/.

Any person wishing to make a submission on this application can do so by writing to the Operations Manager, David Butt, c/- Max Clark, Christchurch Shared Services Unit, Private Bag 4715, Christchurch Mail Centre, Christchurch 8140, or email maclark@doc.govt.nz, within 28 days after publication of this notice in the New Zealand Gazette.

Unless a person making a submission states to the contrary in the submission, that person will be deemed to give his/her consent to the release under the Official Information Act 1982 of all the information in the submission.

Dated at Whakatipu this 2nd day of November 2023.

DAVID BUTT, Whakatipu-wai-Māori Office.