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Tauranga local captures photos of rare leatherback turtles

27 February

A Tauranga local has captured stunning close-up images of five rare leatherback turtles in the waters close to Mount Maunganui this week.

Motatapu track rerouted to avoid slow moving slip

27 February

A section of the Motatapu Track has been rerouted to avoid a large, slow-moving slip, DOC says.

Vandals damage historic church

26 February

The only remaining building of a once-bustling historic gold mining town has been damaged in a disappointing display of vandalism.

Gecko repatriation closes curious trans-national case

26 February

Six jewelled geckos have been repatriated to New Zealand this month in a curious trans-national case involving the potential illegal smuggling of a rare and threatened taonga species.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand and DOC renew their Service Agreement

25 February

Fire and Emergency New Zealand and DOC have signed a new three-year Operational Service Agreement.

Concession application for structures in Sounds Foreshore Reserve

25 February

Have your say on an application by Jennifer Lynley Nicholls and Simon John Abbot for a concession in Double Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound. Submissions close on 25 March 2026.

Report on under-pressure Waikato wetland delivers clear message

24 February

An assessment of the Whangamarino Wetland in north Waikato confirms decades of ecological decline and offers a clear roadmap for collaborative action to restore this internationally significant site.

Changes to permissions fees

24 February

The fees we charge to process permissions applications are changing on 1 April 2026.

Muriwai gannets reveal flight paths for the first time

23 February

Researchers at DOC are tracking tākapu/Australasian gannets from the iconic Muriwai nesting colony to better understand their flight paths.

New faces sought for Pureora Hunting Competition

23 February

Deer hunting veteran Allan Jackson is keen to see some new faces at this year's Pureora Hunting Competition prizegiving.

$3.5m boost to restore fire-damaged Tongariro

21 February

The Government is investing $3.5 million in the restoration of 3000-plus hectares of Tongariro National Park destroyed by two major fires last year, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.

Dolphin carrying dead calf seen in marine sanctuary

20 February

A bottlenose dolphin spotted carrying a dead calf on its back in the waters around Te Pēwhairangi/Bay of Islands needs the public to give it space.

Westland petrel overlap with domestic fishing effort

18 February

This is the final report for INT2024-08 Westland petrel overlap with domestic fishing effort. Published February 2026.

Application by Craig McCarthy Goodman for a lease/licence

18 February

Have your say on an application by Craig McCarthy Goodman for a lease/licence at Onahau Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound. Submissions close on 18 March 2026.

Vehicle road-access permits

17 February

You need a permit to take your vehicle on some roads on public conservation land.

Celebration recognises philanthropic transformation of Abel Tasman National Park

17 February

An extraordinary contribution to New Zealand conservation was privately acknowledged this week in one of New Zealand's most iconic locations - the Abel Tasman National Park.

New research on 1080 bait impact on Rakiura deer

17 February

Research from a predator control operation on Rakiura/Stewart Island to protect pukunui/southern New Zealand dotterel from extinction has provided valuable insights into the impact of 1080 bait on the island's non-target white tailed deer.

First kākāpō chick in four years hatches on Valentine's Day

16 February

The first kākāpō chick of the breeding season has hatched on Pukenui Anchor Island.

Get a permit to drive on Wilmot Pass Road

16 February

Get a permit to drive your vehicle and trailer on the Wilmot Pass Road to Doubtful Sound/Patea, where you can launch your boat.