Forest and Bird's calling the government's latest move against coal mining a 'breath of fresh air'.

New Minister of Conservation, Eugenie Sage confirms there will be no new mining on conservation land.

Forest and Bird CEO, Kevin Hague said the news is like a breath of fresh air.

"This is a minister who truly gets conservation, [who] understands why we need to be protecting nature."

Hague said it is something they have been fighting for, for some time, and the announcement means they can put away their pitchforks.

"Some governments in the past have used the conservation portfolio as a trainer portfolio, as if it was not actually an important one."

Sage said that the decision was made in an effort to build a more sustainable, modern, clean green economy for New Zealanders.

She said the Government will help workers in regions like the West Coast make an easy transition from mining.

Hague said it will make way for better, more ecological business on the West Coast.

"That whole mythology which says that coal mining will bring prosperity and thousands of jobs, well, it's never brought prosperity and the jobs often turn out to be a losery"

The announcement will likely mean the end of plans for a coal mine proposed for Te Kuha, near Westport, which Forest and Bird opposes.