The Conservation Act and the management strategies (CMS) and plans (CMPs) that are created under it have the overriding principle of "protection".

Whilst there is often overlap between the RMA and the Conservation Act, the principle of protection has primacy over that of sustainable management.

[citation needed] The Conservation Act also sets up a hierarchy of consideration of activities occurring on public conservation land under s6(e): This hierarchy places the greatest weight on intrinsic value, followed by non-commercial recreation, and then by tourism.

An important role in conservation advocacy in New Zealand is ensuring that these three separate considerations are maintained, rather than blurred.

National Parks retain a separate Act of Parliament, which sets up a similar, but more stringent planning regime.