LOVE OUR WILD PLACES
Protect nature wherever your path takes you.
Half of all Kiwis visit a national park or protected area every summer.
Image: Daniel Deans | DOC
WHAT YOU
CAN DO
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Take your litter home with you – yes, that apple core too. If you pack it in, pack it out.
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Human food makes native animals sick, even the ones that will try and snatch it from you (weka, we’re looking at you). Keep your sandwiches to yourself.
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Toilets are available at DOC campsites, huts and many of our car parks. Poo in a loo and you’ll keep rivers and wild places clean.
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Give native birds and wildlife plenty of space, and follow the rules for marine mammals. Don’t risk causing stress or injury to get a selfie – let your zoom do the work.
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Visiting a DOC walking track, campsite or hunting area? Leave your dog at home unless you’ve checked dogs are allowed.
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If you’re in kauri country, stick to the track and use shoe cleaning stations to prevent the spread of kauri disease. Please respect track closures and rāhui.
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Check whether fires are allowed before you head into the backcountry. At DOC campsites, you can only light a fire if there’s a fireplace and no fire ban.
HOW YOU'LL
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Every year, millions of Kiwis and international visitors head into the country's national parks and other protected areas.
Getting into nature is good for you. But it can also put ecosystems that are unique to this whenua under pressure. Everyone who visits these special places has a responsibility to look after them.
ARE YOU IN?
It takes everyone to make a difference for nature. Every little bit helps.
NATURE'S IN
TROUBLE
Thousands of our native species are heading towards extinction, but it’s not too late to save them.
All around New Zealand, Kiwis are bringing nature back.
RELATED ACTIONS
Enjoy getting out in nature with your dog without putting native wildlife at risk.
If you see a native animal in need of help, or something that’s just not right, call it in.
Connecting with nature is scientifically proven to make you feel better. It’ll make you want to repay the favour.