New on the site

Two Tongariro huts join booking system for winter naturing

01 May

Waihohonu and Mangatepopo huts in Tongariro National Park can now be booked for winter adventures, with each operating as a serviced hut until the next Great Walk season begins.

Musters a win for nature and Kaimanawa horses

01 May

An intense week of musters in the Waiouru Military Training area has seen 58 wild Kaimanawa horses rehomed and nearly 100 mares given contraceptive treatment – but there's still more to do this year.

Partner with DOC

30 April

The Department of Conservation provides a range of partnership opportunities for businesses of various sizes to make a significant impact for conservation.

Call for information in mystery penguin attack

30 April

DOC is calling for any information about an alleged dog attack on a colony of little penguins/kororā.

DOC takes out insurance for rare tiny fish

30 April

In rare, good news for a tiny Canterbury fish clinging to survival, DOC rangers have discovered a new population of the fish and created an ‘insurance’ population.

DOC ranger saves horse with angle grinder

30 April

Department of Conservation ranger Gary Hayes didn’t have time to think as he went to aid of a horse stuck in a float, close to death.

First official breeding colony milestone for pakake

29 April

For the first time in more than a century Otago’s pakake /New Zealand sea lion population has produced more than 35 pups, putting it officially on track to breeding colony status.

Women take top prizes at Pureora Hunting Competition

29 April

More young women are heading out hunting and this has been reflected in the results for this year’s annual Pureora Hunting Competition.

Duck season: Not all ducks are fair game

29 April

Taranaki duck hunters are reminded to carefully identify targets this season to ensure they are not shooting an endangered species.

Escaped native frogs rediscovered in backyard after 50 years

28 April

Rare native Hochstetter’s frogs thought to have escaped from captivity during a flood in the 1970s have been breeding secretly in Lower Hutt for nearly 50 years – before being rediscovered by a young conservationist exploring the creek behind his house.

Moths and butterflies face widespread decline

28 April

New Zealand's native moths and butterflies are facing mounting challenges, with 60 years of world-leading evidence pointing to significant species declines in the eastern South Island.

Charity helps DOC control wild deer in Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula reserves and feed whānau

24 April

Canterbury based charity Hunters4Hope is helping manage wild deer in DOC reserves on Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula - with the venison going to those in need.

Totaranui Track

23 April

An extension to the Ashley Gorge Loop Track that gains altitude above the river for some views and passes through some mature podocarp forest sections.

DOC and Northland deploy new trap to catch invasive turtles

23 April

DOC and the Northland Regional Council (NRC) have partnered to tackle the spread of invasive red-eared sliders with a new purpose-built trap.

Ashley Gorge Waterfall Track

23 April

An out and back hike to a small waterfall, at its best after rain.

New biodiversity plan focuses on turning the tide

23 April

A new implementation plan will sharpen New Zealand’s focus on restoring biodiversity and supporting nature to recover, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.

One-footed penguin causes stir in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour

23 April

A little penguin/kororā with one foot has become a regular visitor to Auckland's Viaduct Harbour, causing a growing interest amongst Aucklanders.

Fast DNA sex test “game changer” for conservation

23 April

A new DNA testing method confirming the sex of newly hatched birds within an hour is improving the recovery efforts for two threatened taonga species, kākāpō and takahē.

Remote tech begins a 'new era' for conservation

22 April

A pilot scheme trialling an advanced satellite-enabled remote network of sensors in DOC toilets could be the first step towards a revolution for New Zealand conservation and a route to delivering significant cost, carbon, and time savings for the organisation.

West Coasters punching above their weight in giving back to nature

22 April

The scale and impact of community and business conservation efforts on the West Coast are being recognised this Conservation Week – and people are urged to get involved.