is formed. Establishment of the Forest Heritage Fund (later renamed "Nature Heritage Fund"). Ministry for the Environment Green Ribbon Award established 1991 Protests over the mining of ilmenite on the West Coast. Resource Management Act 1991 passed into law. Crown Minerals Act 1991 is passed. 1993 Biosecurity Act 1993 is passed. Forests Act 1949 is amended. Forest and Bird develop the Forest Friendly Awards to classify invasive garden plants. The Government launches the Environment 2010 Strategy 9 June — New Zealand Post issues a set of stamps on conservation. 1 July — Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 comes into effect. 15 November — A West Coast environmentalist claims his house was the target of arson due to his anti-mining stance. 1994 Rats eradicated from Kapiti Island. Resource consent given to mine sand in Mangawhai Harbour. Basel Convention comes into force in New Zealand. 1996 Environment Court, formerly called the Planning Tribunal, is constituted by the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996 with upgraded powers Kahurangi National Park gazetted. Fisheries Act 1996 is passed (though parts of it come into force only spasmodically over the next few years). Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 is passed. Ozone Protection Layer Act 1996 is passed. 1997 Native Forest Action commences lobbying to save West Coast forests. Wild Greens group formed. Zerowaste Trust established. 1998 Creation of New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands World Heritage site. 22 May — New Zealand signs the Kyoto Protocol. 1999 Labour/Alliance coalition Government gains power paving the way for protection of West Coast native forests. DoC publishes "Karst Management Guidelines" to assist with cave and karst protection. Karori Wildlife Sanctuary construction completed, limited public access available. Proposed West Coast ilmenite mine project is abandoned. (The Press — 6 February 1999) 2000s 2000 The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000 is passed, establishing the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority as a Crown agent. A gondola is proposed from Lake Wakatipu area to the Milford Sound road. Varroa bee mite discovered in New Zealand. West Coast loop road through conservation land is promoted by group of South Island mayors. 15 June — Biotech lobby group Life Sciences Network web site goes live. Forests (West Coast Accord) Act 2000 passed 2001 Moratorium on new marine farming applications, initially for two years. Forest restoration on the Kapiti Coast. National Pest Plant Accord is developed to prevent the spread of invasive plants. German tourist