2010 Canterbury media releases

Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board appointments 2010 announcement

Date: 23 December 2010
Minister of Conservation Hon Kate Wilkinson today announced the appointments to the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board.

Fire ban for Mackenzie and Ashburton high country

Date: 21 December 2010
Extreme fire danger has triggered DOC to place a total fire ban over conservation lands in Mackenzie and Ashburton high country today.

Rare native fish population boom

Date: 20 December 2010
A small spring-fed tributary of Fraser Stream near Twizel has had a large increase in two of New Zealand's rarest native fish species, attributed to the introduction of a trout barrier.

New land a gateway to Hakatere Conservation Park

Date: 17 December 2010
DOC is encouraging holiday-makers to take advantage of a fantastic new addition to Hakatere Conservation Park.

Penguins prosper thanks to peninsula farmers

Date: 25 November 2010
Shireen and Francis Help's natural affection for kororā/white flippered penguins have earned them the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board Award for 2010.

St James Cycle Trail: the first Great Ride

Date: 19 November 2010
Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson will officially open the St James Cycle Trail on Saturday 20 November, the first of the country's 'Great Rides' to be fully completed.

Canterbury's rural firefighters bring challenge to a close

Date: 20 October 2010
Between 14 and 16 October, over 35 rural fire crews pit their skills against each other in a series of quirky and demanding exercises dotted around the South Canterbury beauty spot.

Rare kiwi egg survives quakes to hatch in Conservation Week

Date: 12 September 2010
Just in time for Conservation Week (12 - 19 September), the world's rarest kiwi hatches undamaged in the midst of Christchurch's earthquakes.

DOC Canterbury track and facilities closures update

Date: 10 September 2010
DOC has been busy inspecting all facilities and reserves in Canterbury following the recent seismic activity. Many buildings and tracks have suffered damage as a result of the earthquakes and the Department asks that members of the public please comply with all safety signs at DOC sites.

Rare dolphin washes up at Pōhatu/Flea Bay

Date: 09 September 2010
In amongst all the recent seismic activity, Department of Conservation (DOC) staff were called to retrieve a dolphin that had washed up at Pōhatu/Flea Bay, Banks Peninsula.

No major damage to Canterbury tracks, but more closures and no 'all clear' yet, says DOC

Date: 10 September 2010
Preliminary checks to tracks, huts and visitor facilities in Canterbury have so far revealed no major damage, but the Department of Conservation (DOC) is asking people to continue to stay away until inspections are fully completed.

Canterbury hut and track closures update

Date: 07 September 2010
In the aftermath of Saturday's earthquake DOC is checking the safety of tracks and huts in the Canterbury area and asks that the public stays away from these until the all clear is given.

Christchurch Conservation Week events postponed

Date: 07 September 2010
The Department has made the decision to postpone its public Conservation Week events planned for Christchurch.

Stay clear of Canterbury tracks and huts until checked by DOC

Date: 06 September 2010
People are being asked to stay clear of tracks and huts in the Canterbury area until the Department of Conservation (DOC) has checked their safety.

Akaroa marine reserve proposal declined

Date: 20 August 2010
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson has today declined a proposal for a marine reserve in Akaroa Harbour, Canterbury, after nearly 15 years of deliberation.

Ō Tū Wharekai Recreation Plan released

Date: 26 July 2010
Source: Department of Conservation
A recreation plan has been released by the Department of Conservation which gives clear direction on recreational activities in Ashburton Lakes and the upper Rangitata River.

St James Walkway hut burnt down

Date: 06 July 2010
The Anne River Hut, a 14-bunk hut on the St James Walkway, has burnt down.

Treat falcons as friends not foes says DOC

Date: 31 May 2010
Lock up your doves - falcons are on the prowl. DOC has had calls of complaints from dove, pigeon and even free-range chicken owners that their birds are falling prey to New Zealand falcon/kārearea.

Nominations sought for Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board Award

Date: 31 May 2010
The Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board invites nominations of conservation projects that show the love for New Zealand for their 2010 Conservation Awards.

Winners announced today - Ō Tū Wharekai photo competition

Date: 23 May 2010
The winning shot in the Ō Tū Wharekai Wetland Restoration Project photo competition went beyond the usual 'chocolate box cover' announced the Department of Conservation today.

Don Bogie - NZ's "absolute leader" of mountain search and rescue

Date: 23 April 2010
"My enduring memory of Don Bogie is his face as he crawled into 'Middle Peak Hotel' on the morning of 29 November 1982," Mark Inglis recollects.

Weka loose in Christchurch Art Centre precinct

Date: 26 March 2010
The Department of Conservation has been fielding calls this week from members of the public sighting weka in central Christchurch.

Hooker Valley Track to get major upgrade

Date: 19 March 2010
One of the South Island's most popular day walks, with views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, has been given the green light for a major upgrade.

Hurunui students 'Kiwi Watch' features on Bush Telly

Date: 05 March 2010
Canterbury's great spotted kiwi/roroa will feature on Bush Telly 2010, when DOC ranger Malcolm Wylie is interviewed on day two of the Ellerslie International Flower Show.

Talbot Forest picnic areas get upgrades

Date: 25 February 2010
The Department of Conservation has recently upgraded the Tripp Street picnic area in Talbot Forest, Geraldine, Canterbury, with a new road, parking, drainage and earthworks.

Photo competition profiles wetland biodiversity

Date: 26 February 2010
The Department of Conservation is running a photo competition that puts the focus on their Ō Tū Wharekai Wetland Restoration Project, in the Ashburton Lakes area.

Fire ban for Mackenzie and Ashburton

Date: 26 February 2010
Extreme fire danger has triggered the Department of Conservation to place a total fire ban over conservation lands (and within one kilometre of those lands) in the Mackenzie Basin and Ashburton Lakes today.

Fire-starter research sparks hope for the high country

Date: 19 February 2010
Making mini-mud pies, sieving glowing embers and grinding steel seem like hard ways to start a fire, but the results suggest otherwise, says Masters student Heather Wakelin.

Award-winning film-set Bush Telly welcomes 'Coaster' to Christchurch

Date: 19 February 2010
Bush Telly is excited to welcome West Coast-based Conservation Officer Ian Gill to the 2010 Bush Telly crew as co-director and cameraman.

Gecko smuggler caught out by Wildlife Enforcement Group

Date: 16 February 2010
A German tourist, Manfred Bachmann was apprehended in Christchurch on Sunday with 16 endangered jewelled geckos in his possession.

Lizard smuggler sentenced

Date: 26 January 2010
Hans Kurt Kubus - who was was caught smuggling lizards by the New Zealand Customs Service at Christchurch Airport on Sunday 6 December 2009 - has been sentenced.

Port Levy whale rescue update

Date: 25 January 2010
A report from DOC Marine Officer, Laura Allum, confirms that 35 whales were successfully re-floated yesterday.

Canterbury seeks shark sightings

Date: 18 January 2010
DOC is currently surveying the Canterbury coast for basking sharks and seeks sightings from the public to help with the search.

Contacts

Canterbury Conservancy Office
Phone: +64 3 371 3700
Email: canterburyco@doc.govt.nz
Full office details
Conservation for prosperity. Tiakina te taiao, kia puawai