fined for smuggling a gecko. 30 May — Government announces transfer of all Timberlands managed forests to DoC. 18 August — Macraes mine extension turned down by Sandra Lee-Vercoe, the Minister of Conservation. 21 October — The Waigani Convention came into force. 2002 Rakiura National Park established. Labour led government abolishes logging of native trees on public land. Waste Strategy released by the Ministry for the Environment. Ferrets no longer able to be legally bred, sold or distributed. 25 January — New Zealand Environment magazine launched. 22 December — New Zealand ratifies the Kyoto Protocol. 2003 Govt3, a sustainability programme for government department, is established YHA NZ started a Young Environmentalist programme. The WWF Living Planet report ranks New Zealand fourteenth largest per capita ecological footprint. 24 April — New Zealand population is estimated to top 4,000,000. 26 May — Campbell Island declared rat free. 26 May — Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry for the Environment, and Fonterra sign the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord. June — Consultation is sought on an Agricultural emissions research levy (commonly called the "flatulence tax" or "fart tax"). 5 September — New Zealand Environment magazine discontinued. 11 September — Environment Minister addresses pollution in the Rotorua lakes. 31 October — Businessman jailed for clearing native bush (this has set a legal precedent) 2004 Rock snot, (Didymosphenia geminata), an invasive freshwater weed is found in some New Zealand rivers. Group to proceed with the Milford Gondola. Nitrates an increasing problem in Canterbury's groundwater. Monorail proposed to shorten tourist trip between Queenstown and Milford Sound. Pike River mine given go-ahead despite protests by environmental groups. Kaikoura Green Globe Conference declaration. Rats successfully eradicated from Raoul Island. 20 January — Two Czech visitors fined for plant smuggling. 8 February — 13,000-litre diesel spill in Milford Sound. 12 March — Mount Burnett mining road application turned down. 25 March — Cypress mine, an open cast coal mine, is proposed for the West Coast. 29 March — Meridian Energy proposed Project Aqua is cancelled. 10 May — Kaikoura Island protected. 17 May — Montréal Protocol comes into force. 18 October — More invasive plants discovered in Auckland 3 November — PCE releases report on the environmental effects of farming. 31 December — Moratorium on marine farms lifted after the passing of the Aquaculture Reform Bill. 2005 Non-toxic shot only is to be used for waterfowl hunting from the