Showcase areas
Facilities at Trounson Kauri Park,
Northland
Throughout New Zealand, the Department of Conservation manages 'showcase areas', where the public can see conservation work at its best. They provide an ideal opportunity to see DOC making a difference in the battle to preserve our natural and historic heritage.
Each showcase area highlights one of the range of different activities that DOC undertakes - from ecological restoration of islands and at 'mainland islands', through to managing sites of historic significance, or simply catering for recreational enjoyment.
There is one showcase area in each of DOC's conservancies, and all provide a high standard of facilities for the casual visitor. Some of these showcase areas include:
DOC's first Mainland Island in Northland, Trounson Kauri Park is a 450-hectare reserve featuring an impressive stand of kauri trees.
You can be one of the lucky few to visit Tiritiri Matangi each day. This scientific reserve near Auckland is home to many native species due to being predator-free.
Ruakuri Reserve encompasses 114 ha of native bush and limestone formations. The reserve is only 2 km from the Waitomo glowworm cave.
The Waiorongomai Valley in Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park contains the historic site of the Piako County Tramway, New Zealand oldest tramway. You can walk in the valley through regenerating native bush.
Boundary Stream Mainland Island is home to a number of threatened species including North Island brown kiwi, kākā and kōkako, New Zealand falcon and kererū.
You can see conservation in action at the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre in the Northern Wairarapa. Tuatara, kokako, kiwi and takahe are all permanent residents here.
Take one of the many walks through the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project in Nelson Lakes National Park and you'll experience a forest alive with the sights and sounds of birds.
Developed for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, the Otago Central Rail Trail follows the former Otago Central Branch railway line for 150 kilometres from Middlemarch to Clyde.
Ulva Island, off Stewart Island/Rakiura, is an island sanctuary that is open to the public. Free of introduced animal pests, it offers the chance to see native birds including saddleback, kakariki and kiwi.