Across its 35-year history, the Nature Heritage Fund (NHF) has protected hundreds of thousands of hectares of rare and representative ecosystems on private land.

This fund has played a vital role in preserving unique ecosystems and ensuring future generations of New Zealanders can experience our natural heritage.

History of the Nature Heritage Fund and achievements

The Nature Heritage Fund was established in 1990 to initially protect indigenous forests on private land from being logged. As environmental policies improved and native forests were given greater protection in law, the NHF broadened its scope to protect other high conservation value ecosystems such as wetlands, tussock grasslands, dune lands, and rare habitats; preventing them from being destroyed for development or cleared to expand agriculture.

Over the years, the NHF has protected more than 349,000 hectares of indigenous ecosystems, across at least 750 sites. Without protection, many of these ecosystems may have been negatively impacted or lost. 

The Department is grateful for the professionalism and leadership of the Nature Heritage Fund Committee members, past and present, whose expertise in ecology, land management, environmental protection, cultural values and governance, were the cornerstone in leaving such an incredible legacy.

Read more about the achievements of the Nature Heritage Fund: Celebrating 25 years of the Nature Heritage Fund (PDF, 15,103K)

Nature Heritage Fund – Celebrating 25 years was authored by former NHF Committee member Les Molloy. We also acknowledge NHF Committee members, especially Di Lucas (former Chair) and Gerry McSweeney for their support in producing this publication.