Image: DOC
DOC ranger working at Whangamarino Wetland, Waikato
Managing conservation
Our approach to managing New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage.

The public conservation land we administer has different layers of protection, depending on which category or status it holds under various legislation.

DOC is encouraging more people to participate in outdoor recreation and protecting and bringing to life our historic heritage.

DOC manages stewardship land under the Conservation Act 1987 to protect its natural and historic values.

How DOC minimises the risks of fires on public conservation land.

There are a number of statutory requirements associated with the management of public conservation land.

The Department of Conservation has a role in managing New Zealand's coastline, through the resource management system.

For many years, the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) has been the main law governing how we use land, air, freshwater and coastal areas.

DOC is responsible for potentially contaminated sites on public conservation land.

Every few years DOC consults the public on trends, risks and opportunities for conservation. This informs our Long-Term Insights Briefing which helps to guide future planning.

We commissioned two pieces of work to understand the value New Zealand gets from public conservation land and waters. This includes tourism.