Mark English's photo, from a recent tussock planting day with Lindis Pass conservation group, is our photo of the week.
Caroline Carter grabs some friends, which include two geologists, two cave guiders, three five year olds and a couple of nervous mums, and heads to Clifden Caves!
Today Chrissy Wickes shares the story and photos of her recent family biking adventure on the Queen Charlotte Track.
DOC is renowned for its island pest eradications, now we are leading a pest eradication programme that is focussed on home gardens to wipe out the great white butterfly in Nelson Tasman, which if successful, would be a world first.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has announced the details on changes to its organisation structure. This includes final staffing numbers and locations.
When there is work to be done on Raoul Island, the most difficult thing is to get the workers to the island. Fortunately for Raoul, the Navy ship Wellington agreed to make the journey.
If you spot a southern right whale migrating along the coast this season we want to know! Learn how to report your sighting.
Walking festivals are becoming increasingly popular, so it was no surprise that the recent inaugural Great Barrier Island Walking Festival was a great success.
Watch this video, showing everyday yet extraordinary New Zealanders working with DOC to help make our country the greatest living space on Earth, and you'll agree the Anzac spirit lives on. We’re pulling together. And conservation is benefiting.
Watch this video to find out about the wide range of people who are getting involved and working with DOC to look after our special places, plants and animals.
After a flood you can sometimes find DOC bridges washed miles from their original positions. What is more unusual is to find them in the same place but rotated 90 degrees. Cornelia from DOC in Franz Josef tells the story...
On the 23 and 24 April DOC and Dulux are giving Daly's Hut in Tauranga, a makeover on TVNZ's Breakfast show.
DOC's Margaret Metcalfe writes about a novel approach being taken to paint a new toilet in the Ruahine ranges.
Paint a DOC hut online and be in the draw to win an ultimate DOC experience. Entries close Tuesday 30 April 2013!
Rob Griffiths, a ranger based in the Rotorua Lakes Area Office, takes us along the newly developed mountain bike loop in the Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve.
A kind of modern-day treasure hunt, this multi-cache challenge is based around the H Tree Track, an easy and beautiful walk in Whirinaki Forest Park.
Sorrel Hoskin, from DOC’s Taranaki Area Office, writes about St Joseph’s Primary School’s recent visit to Egmont National Park to learn about the work being done to protect the endangered whio/blue duck.
Today we profile Oskar Guy—Island Ranger on Northland's Hen and Chicken Islands.
Volunteers experienced hands on conservation work in vast golden tussock, under big open skies, when they removed fences in Otago’s Oteake Conservation Park recently.
In February celebrations were held on the Chatham Islands to commemorate 35 years since the rediscovery of the tāiko.
Struggles with weight, babies and her whabulous Whabio - Whiona tells all in this (blue) duck tale.
Looking for some inspiring work, performers Karl Rollinson and Corey Watkins signed up for six weeks of volunteer work with DOC.
Olivia is 9 years old and lives in the Fiordland area. She writes about her recent trip to the Lake Howden Hut on the Routeburn Track.
Ever wondered what it was like to be one of DOC's amazing species dogs? Well, Fern tells us today on the Conservation Blog.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has announced the first part of the final decision on changes to its organisation structure.
DOC is changing the way we work so that we can achieve more conservation. Every New Zealander has a stake and a role to play.
The winners of last year's Great Whio Adventure competition spent a day catching and tagging whio with DOC. Robyn Orchard tells us about their day.
Kiwi Ranger is a fun interactive programme offered free to kids of all ages. It's a fun way for families to get to know New Zealand's special places together.
A record breeding season for the endangered kakī/black stilt has been greatly helped by high country farmers.
March is Whio Awareness Month and, to celebrate, we profile Andrew Glaser—Whio Recovery Group Leader in Te Urewera/ Whirinaki.
What do New Zealand green geckos, hammerhead sharks, and Madagascar ebony have in common? Aside from being important to ecosystem functioning and holding cultural value, these species were also recently afforded stronger protection in international law.
Swinging below the crane, a wee cabin linked to Scott’s fatal Antarctic expedition looked more like a cubby than a 100-year-old piece of history.
Kane Low and Rufus Bristol work and live their passion for bringing the blue duck/whio back to their community. These taonga species changed their lives, find out how.
Ranger Chris Hankin writes about his tramp with the Air New Zealand Great Walkers over the Routeburn Track.
The fortunes of rare whio/blue ducks in Kahurangi National Park’s Wangapeka-Fyfe area have been boosted by the arrival of eight young ducks last week.
March is Whio Awareness Month and to celebrate our iconic blue duck, we profile Ivan Rogers—Whio Ranger in Motueka.
10 year old Jamie Hamilton is a Year 6 student at Glenorchy School, she often goes out trapping with her dad. She writes about a recent trip to Lake Sylvan.
Anne Richardson loves being a mum to the cute whio ducklings. In this video she talks about her special experiences working at the Wildlife Centre at Peacock Springs.
Easy access huts are a great way to experience huts for the first time without having to walk too far (some you can even drive to). They’re also for all ages and fitness levels.
Sarah and her family experience one of New Zealand's most popular campsites at a quieter time of year.
Ranger Cate Helm writes about her adventure along the Kepler Track with the Air New Zealand Great Walkers.
Kiwis for kiwi is the official charity at April's World Triathlon event in Auckland. The aim is to raise $25,000 to help save kiwi and there are plenty of ways you can help.
DOC ranger, Tim Allerby, spends his days looking after blue duck/whio. He shares with us about what it is like being a whio ranger.
Fonterra and DOC have just announced a $20 million community investment to improve the natural habitats of some key waterways around New Zealand over the next ten years.
To celebrate Seaweek – and the nationwide launch of the fabulous Marine Meter Squared programme – the DOC team in Coastal Otago decided to get hip and do their own version of the Harlem Shake!
It's Seaweek (2-10 March) and to celebrate we share an interview with sea lover and Technical Advisor (Marine), Andrew Baxter.
An historic cabin linked to Scott’s fatal Antarctic expedition has been rescued today from the brink of an earthquake-crumbled cliff top.
Whio Awareness Month starts today and to celebrate, we profile whio fan Tim Allerby, Biodiversity Ranger, in Te Urewera/Whirinaki.
Paint a hut online and win a fully hosted wilderness weekend for two in Mt Aspiring National Park.
Take a short walk, a boat trip, or drive directly to the door, to enjoy one of DOC's down to earth stays.
Hundreds of events around New Zealand take place during Seaweek. Get involved in this national celebration of our marine environment.
The Air New Zealand Great Walkers have just finished their second Great Walk—the Rakiura Track on Stewart Island.
Whio Awareness Month kicks off on Friday 1st March 2013 and it’s set to be a busy month promoting awareness of this iconic duck.
Bobby Rangihuna-Harema, a high school student aspiring to be a Farm Manager, got the opportunity to be a 'Ranger for a day' at Motu near Gisborne after winning a Conservation Week competition late last year.
A series of rare bird releases have marked the launch of an ambitious new conservation project to bring some of New Zealand’s most threatened birds back to our internationally renowned Great Walk tracks.
The Air New Zealand Great Walkers have just finished the first of their nine Great Walks—the Kepler Track. Watch the videos, see the photos, and read their insights…
56 yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho have died from a mystery illness on the Otago Peninsula leaving many chicks without parents to feed them.
DOC's Dave Houston, along with Jeff Corwin of Animal Planet fame, help tag yellow-eyed penguins on the Otago Peninsula.
Angeline Barnes tells us the story of a young girl's camping adventure with her friends.
Events to commemorate 35 years since the rediscovery of the Chatham Island tāiko, one of the world’s rarest seabirds, were held on the Chatham Islands last month.
Gen Spargo talks about her work with kōkako, tīeke, korimako and kererū on Kapiti Island.
Follow the four Great Walkers who have arrived in New Zealand to take on all nine Great Walks!
The 35 km Moerangi Mountain Bike Track, winds through the magnificent Whirinaki Forest Park and attracts both mountain bikers and trampers.
Spending two days on Kapiti Island was a definite highlight for DOC's National Office summer interns.
With a vision to bringing back some of New Zealand's rare birds to the Milford Track Great Walk, the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Air New Zealand have increased the effort to control introduced predators in the area.
48 secondary students, from schools across Auckland, spent three days on pest-free Motutapu Island getting equipped and inspired to to Make a Difference (MAD).
The owners of Onenui Station have increased their trapping efforts after a devastating season on Waikawa (Portland Island) that saw New Zealand shore plover numbers reduce from 80 to 20 surviving birds.
A free weka aversion training session for dogs and their owners will be held in Matauwhi Bay Reserve, Russell on 18 February 2013.
Last year Bronwyn Aalders took a walk in the park; a Great Walk—the Milford Track.
Read about Jack Mace's weekend spent camping and working on the top of the Price Range just north of Mt Cloher.
The Department of Conservation and Air New Zealand have increased the effort to control introduced predators on the Milford Track.
Kelly Eaton tells us about her work with moths, ducks, parasitic plants...
Learn about wetlands and get involved in the celebrations.
The recent hot weather and forecast of more to come is bad news for the Taiaroa Head albatross colony.
A heartwarming story of how a community changed and helped save dotterel on Ahipara Beach.
Janet Wilson joins the Oroua Blue Duck Protection Project in their January trap line check and rebait.
Meet Hannah Edmonds, Biodiversity Ranger – Species. Hannah is involved in monitoring, translocating and recovery planning for many threatened New Zealand animals.
The first Air New Zealand-funded transfer of fledgling Stewart Island robins from Ulva Island to a new home in the Dancing Star Foundation sanctuary has taken place successfully, with the assistance of students from Halfmoon Bay School.
Read updates from the eight DOC staff currently in Australia helping with the bush fires.
Read about one family's camping adventure on Matiu Somes Island.
Learn about DOC's response to the eruption of Mt Tongariro and what tracks, huts and roads have been affected.
Get active in the Tongariro Taupo region with us this summer! There are activities to suit everyone – walking, mountain biking, kayaking, caving and more! Find out more and book online here.
DOC caters to a range of campers and camping styles; from lush forest settings, to sandy beaches and shimmering lake locations. So what you are waiting for? Find the camper within!
Full of unprecedentedly detailed and exquisite images of New Zealand birds, this brand new edition of the "stupendously fine work of Buller and Keulemans" is up for grabs on the Conservation Blog.
Siobhan's about to attempt her first 'proper' Great Walk – the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Read her first diary entry on the Conservation Blog.
Tell us what you want to know about DOC and you could win a 'Meet the Locals' DVD on the Conservation Blog.
Read about the largest tuatara relocation ever undertaken on the latest Conservation blog post.
A new name, a new brand, and a fresh new approach to supporting New Zealand's national bird.
After an extensive global search four Great Walkers have been chosen to take on all of New Zealand’s famous nine Great Walks in just nine weeks.
With events around the country there are plenty of ways to show New Zealand that you love it this Conservation Week.
Leave a comment on the Conservation Blog today and you could win a copy of the brand new book, Sirocco: The Rock-Star Kakapo.
Get out and walk - check out videos of each of New Zealand's 9 Great Walks, and get a taste of the spectacular scenery and what you'll experience, on www.greatwalks.co.nz.
New Zealand rugby legends are planting 45,000 trees, in 17 locations around the country, and they need your help. Register for an event near you.
Come and hear Gareth Morgan talk about his recent expedition to explore Our Far South: the subantarctic islands, the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.
Join New Zealand's world famous parrot – Sirocco the kākāpō – on Facebook and Twitter.
Help Landcare Research build up a picture of how birds are faring in New Zealand gardens by spending an hour, sometime between 30 June and 8 July, counting the birds in your garden.
17-23 June is Volunteer Awareness Week, so let's show some appreciation for the invaluable contribution volunteers make to our communities.
5 June is both Arbor Day and World Environment Day.
Enter this sustainability film challenge for young people and make a film about the Department of Conservation's Big Picture. You can also sign up for a free film-making workshop.
This week we celebrated International Day for Biological Diversity with a focus on our marine and coastal biodiversity.
Our Fiordland web pages now have more information on Fiordland tracks, places and activities that is easier to find - with fantastic new images.
On 1 April 1987 the Department of Conservation (DOC) was launched. This year, we celebrate 25 years...
Whet your appetite with a 'panoramic tour' of the St James Cycle Trail.
Seaweek 2012 launches with a splash this week, with over 120 events planned across the country.
Visit Tiritiri Matangi between 7-11 March 2012 to celebrate and learn more about kōkako.
Get behind the Forest & Bird Kererū Count this month by recording sightings of kererū, New Zealand's native pigeon.
Check out the Pocket Ranger—a free interpretive application for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It's just like taking a ranger with you in your pocket!
Kiwi Ranger is a fun, interactive programme for kids of all ages - from 3 to 103! It helps you to discover the ecology, culture and history of our special places.
Summer is the perfect time to head outdoors. For a bit of inspiration, have a go at creating your own kiwi summer scene by clicking the image.
New Zealand's weather changes rapidly so you need to be prepared. Click the image to find out how you can get the latest forecasts before you get away from it all.
View an archive of older stories we've featured on the home page of the DOC website.
News and What's new