New on the site

Ignoring closure will shut Wairere Falls for longer

18 September

Just one week into work to repair the popular Wairere Falls Track and the project is hitting roadblocks – because visitors keep ignoring the publicised closure.

Request for Proposal opportunity for Tiritiri Matangi Island Wharf

18 September

The Minister of Conservation invites Requests for Proposals to provide scheduled commercial ferry services to the Tiritiri Matangi Island Wharf. Applications close 30 October 2026.

New Zealand’s rarest parakeet numbers soar in Nelson

17 September

A joint annual survey of kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeets has delighted Department of Conservation rangers with close to 300 birds counted at the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary in Nelson.

Endangered whio killed by fly fishing line

17 September

An extremely malnourished whio/blue duck has been euthanised due to severe injuries after being discovered with a fishing hook in its foot and line wrapped around its wings

Proposed disposal of Conservation Area – Taupō Nursery

17 September

Have your say on the proposed disposal of the Conservation Area – Taupō Nursery. Submissions close on Friday 13 November 2026 at 4 pm.

Susan O’Regan appointed QEII National Trust Chair

16 September

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has today announced the appointment of Susan O’Regan as Chair of the QEII National Trust Board.

Clear traplines after successful predator control operation

15 September

Rodent and stoat numbers have dropped to almost undetectable levels across a remarkable biodiversity hotspot in Kahurangi National Park following a recent successful predator control operation.

Wetland action plan 2026-2035

14 September

The action plan sets out DOC’s strategic direction for conserving and restoring New Zealand’s wetlands over the next decade

Grazing opportunities at Dunstan Downs Conservation Area

14 September

We are developing a clear process for how grazing opportunities will be allocated at Dunstan Downs Conservation Area in the future.

Cockayne Nature Walk

14 September

This rough loop track winds through the diverse podocarp broadleaf forest of the West Coast.

Callers with conundrums – DOC’s unusual queries

14 September

A caller with a black cat on their doorstep, a request to deal with possum poop and a UFO falling from the sky all feature among the unusual recent calls to DOC's call centre.

Tahr sighting and control maps 2026/27

11 September

View maps of tahr sightings and control from DOC operations undertaken between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.

H5 bird flu wildlife resource kete

11 September

Find information about H5 bird flu and keeping safe while working with wildlife or in the field.

Wider collaboration to preserve backcountry heritage

11 September

The Government is strengthening support for New Zealand’s treasured backcountry hut and track network through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DOC and the Backcountry Trust, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced.

Chatham Island shag tracking and testing of Bluetooth GPS devices

11 September

This report outlines the first tracking study of Chatham Island shags, carried out as part of DOC-funded work to evaluate the effectiveness of remote-downloadable GPS tracking devices.

Moratorium on new marine mammal permits

11 September

DOC has announced a 10-year moratorium on new marine mammal permits in the Banks Peninsula/Te Pātāka-o-Rākaihautū area.

New Zealand Protected Natural Areas Programme

10 September

The Protected Natural Areas Programme (PNAP) was a nationwide ecological survey established in the 1980s to identify representative examples of New Zealand's indigenous ecosystems and biodiversity.

International visitor access charges

10 September

The Government is progressing work to implement access charges for international visitors following national and local consultation.

'Nature loves a team effort' – Conservation Week 2027 dates announced

10 September

Conservation Week 2027 has been confirmed for 19–25 April, so it’s time to start assembling your team and thinking about what you can do for nature.

Southern right whale mum and calf prompt call for care on the water

10 September

A southern right whale and her calf spotted off the Northland coast have made their way south, prompting the DOC to ask boaties to take extra care around marine wildlife when naturing on the water.