2016 media releases
View DOC media releases from 2016.

Date: 31 December 2016
DOC is advising trampers on the Travers-Sabine walking circuit to take extra hygiene precautions after a tramping party came down with a suspected gastro bug.

Date: 23 December 2016
DOC has reissued temporary permits for shark cage diving operators off Rakiura/Stewart Island.

Date: 23 December 2016
Numbers of endangered bats and birds are up in the Kepler area of Fiordland National Park after aerial predator control this spring, recent monitoring has shown.

Date: 23 December 2016
Source: Contact
DOC Director-General Lou Sanson became one of the ‘first to see the sun’ on the sacred Mount Hikurangi (Te Ara ki Hikurangi) north of Gisborne.

Date: 22 December 2016
We'd like to remind families heading outdoors to enjoy nature this summer to stay safe and respect our beautiful taonga.

Date: 20 December 2016
On Christmas Day, passengers from a cruise ship will be in for a Christmas treat - visiting Kāpiti Island Nature Reserve.

Date: 19 December 2016
Stop and enjoy some of the great spots in nature on the long drive between Picton and Christchurch this summer.

Date: 19 December 2016
A new partnership has officially begun between the Hawke’s Bay Department of Conservation and the Napier i-SITE Visitor Information Centre.

Date: 16 December 2016
Twelve new Kiwi Guardian nature discovery sites have been created in family friendly places just in time for Christmas.

Date: 16 December 2016
Work to clean up the most highly arsenic contaminated site recorded in New Zealand, at Waiuta on the West Coast of the South Island is now complete and the site has been reopened to the public.

Date: 15 December 2016
The Department of Conservation says an appeal to the Supreme Court is being made because it needs the law to be clarified over the way public conservation land can be managed.

Date: 14 December 2016
DOC is encouraging visitors to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing this summer to use a licensed transport operator.

Date: 15 December 2016
J.M. Barker (Hapupu) National Historic Reserve is open to local whanau and guided concessionaires now that remedial work is complete.

Date: 14 December 2016
Comments are invited on a new draft Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) for the Wellington, Kāpiti, Manawatū-Rangitīkei and Wairarapa regions.

Date: 13 December 2016
A proposed new levy to fund the Game Animal Council’s activities is on export of game animal trophies from New Zealand.

Date: 11 December 2016
A jewelled gecko/moko-kākāriki has returned to Otago after being smuggled from its Otago Peninsula home into Germany three years ago.

Date: 08 December 2016
Tony Silbery's dedication to plant conservation has been formally recognised with a prestigious award.

Date: 07 December 2016
The Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board recommends mountain bikes be allowed on the Heaphy Track from May to November.

Date: 07 December 2016
DOC is concerned that members of the public are still attempting to cross a closed section of the Pakihi Track of the Motu Trails National Cycleway.

Date: 07 December 2016
DOC and Gisborne District Council are asking the public to be careful near New Zealand dotterel and banded dotterel nesting sites on the East Coast this summer.

Date: 06 December 2016
DOC expects to decide in the next few weeks whether to reissue permits for shark cage diving operators off Rakiura/Stewart Island. The shark cage diving season traditionally starts on 1 December.

Date: 06 December 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
A new action plan setting targets for protection of New Zealand’s unique native animals and environment has been officially released by Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.

Date: 05 December 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry today announced that New Zealand will take on a leadership role internationally, working with others to control and eradicate invasive alien species and protect native habitats.

Date: 02 December 2016
Battle for our Birds pest control operations in South Westland are now complete, with the final two operations, in the Landsborough and Haast valleys receiving treatment this week.

Date: 02 December 2016
DOC's Takahē Recovery Programme and its new national partner Fulton Hogan welcome official figures showing the takahē population has reached over 300 birds as they released 26 takahē into the wild this month.

Date: 02 December 2016
A search for the elusive Fiordland crested penguin/ tawaki in Milford Sound/ Piopiotahi has revealed the birds to be thriving.

Date: 01 December 2016
Our Predator Free 2050 programme is at the forefront of a global effort against invasive predators.

Date: 01 December 2016
A showcase for New Zealand’s significant places has been launched in Northland today.

Date: 30 November 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
The company which will be a key player in achieving New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 ambition is now up and running.

Date: 25 November 2016
A young takahē is travelling nearly 1,200 km ‘home’ to Fiordland today, as part of DOC’s Takahē Recovery Programme.

Date: 23 November 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
The invasive pest great white butterfly has been eradicated from New Zealand in a world-first achievement.

Date: 21 November 2016
Many DOC campgrounds, tracks and other attractions in the upper and western South Island are still very much open for business.

Date: 19 November 2016
At least two huts have been destroyed by earthquake related slips and activity and a number of other sites have suffered serious damage.

Date: 18 November 2016
Popular visitor sites in Southland are being destroyed because of inconsiderate four-wheel drive users, forcing DOC to rethink access rights to some areas.

Date: 16 November 2016
It is clear from reports that the recent earthquakes have impacted upon wildlife, including seals, penguins and seabirds.

Date: 16 November 2016
Overall most of our facilities appear to have escaped damage from the Kaikoura earthquakes, apart from some tracks nearer to the epicentre.

Date: 14 November 2016
DOC is checking the safety of facilities, tracks and huts across the country in the aftermath of the 7.5 magnitude earthquake centred in North Canterbury and subsequent widespread aftershocks.

Date: 07 November 2016
The public are asked to help DOC identify who is responsible for shooting a female sea lion/pakake on Otago Peninsula.

Date: 03 November 2016
Trampers and hunters who are keen to visit the Kaweka Forest Park this summer are being cautioned to take extra care when venturing into the backcountry.

Date: 02 November 2016
DOC has suspended the use of all Robinson helicopters to transport DOC staff, volunteers and contractors.

Date: 26 October 2016
DOC has decided not to make a submission on the application of Trans Tasman Resources Ltd to mine iron-sand from the sea bed offshore from South Taranaki.

Date: 20 October 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
A new estimate of Māui dolphin numbers is encouraging for the future of the species, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry say.

Date: 13 October 2016
Two months in to the season, a high number of nets have already been confiscated from East Coast whitebaiters not following regulations.

Date: 12 October 2016
Drones are a real risk to wildlife with drone activity increasing at the Northern royal albatross colony at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head.

Date: 11 October 2016
DOC has successfully eradicated mice on Maud Island, restoring it to a predator-free haven for endangered native species.

Date: 10 October 2016
The Department of Conservation and New Zealand’s leading image library One Shot are pleased to announce a new partnership that will heighten the visibility of conservation work.

Date: 06 October 2016
Department of Conservation Director-General Lou Sanson pays tribute to internationally renowned conservationist and ornithologist Brian D. Bell who passed away in Marlborough on 1 October 2016.

Date: 05 October 2016
Air New Zealand, DOC and local iwi have today announced new conservation initiatives on three of the country’s Great Walks.

Date: 04 October 2016
DOC is taking threats and abuse of staff by anti-1080 protestors extremely seriously and has referred incidents to the police.

Date: 03 October 2016
A pair of New Zealand’s rarest birds has been sighted on the West Coast and DOC staff are asking the public to report further sightings.

Date: 03 October 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
A new plan to raise wild kiwi numbers to more than 100,000 by 2030 has been released today by Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.

Date: 03 October 2016
A tabby cat has been spotted on Moutohorā (Whale Island) Wildlife Management Reserve.

Date: 30 September 2016
DOC wants anglers to be aware of new food safety advice about eating trout caught in areas after aerial 1080 pest control operations.

Date: 29 September 2016
Source: Kiwis for kiwi
Kiwis for kiwi is calling for all New Zealanders to take action during Save Kiwi Month against the number one killer of kiwis – the stoat.

Date: 26 September 2016
Two offenders who stole ponga from public conservation land have been sentenced to a total of 460 hours of community work.

Date: 28 September 2016
DOC is opening a new campsite at Awaroa/Godley Head, near Christchurch, this weekend.

Date: 22 September 2016
The battle for our national bird will reach a major milestone when a special kiwi called Mighty Dash is released into the wild this week.

Date: 21 September 2016
New Zealand fur seals (kekeno) are frequent visitors at this time of year but humans need to keep their distance.

Date: 21 September 2016
Two local men will appear in the Rotorua District Court next week in relation to the theft of ponga logs from public conservation land in the Rotorua District.

Date: 21 September 2016
Shorebirds are often seen on estuaries in late summer, but in early spring many move inland to raise their families on our riverbeds.

Date: 19 September 2016
We will start our aerial 1080 pest control operation in the Dart, Routeburn and Caples Valleys on Wednesday 21 September.

Date: 16 September 2016
A ten-year moratorium on new permits to view or swim with marine mammals in Akaroa Harbour starts today, 16 September 2016.

Date: 16 September 2016
DOC is seeking feedback on a decision to ‘approve in principle’ an application to construct and operate a hydro electric power scheme on the Waitaha River.

Date: 14 September 2016
DOC and key partners are launching an art exhibition to raise awareness of the Tamatea/Dusky Sound restoration programme in Fiordland.

Date: 12 September 2016
DOC has completed the first stage of the Ōkārito Forest pest control operation in South Westland today.

Date: 09 September 2016
DOC has started its Battle for our Birds predator control in Kahurangi National Park.

Date: 08 September 2016
Source: Predator Free New Zealand Trust, Kiwibank
Kiwibank has joined forces with Predator Free New Zealand Trust and DOC to put boots – and paws – on the ground to protect the country’s native wildlife.

Date: 06 September 2016
A DOC and Genesis Energy online game about threats to whio in the wild is proving popular.

Date: 06 September 2016
DOC reminds hunters that hunting is not allowed during the hours of darkness.

Date: 06 September 2016
DOC has confirmed further Battle for our Birds pest control areas in South Island forests.

Date: 06 September 2016
Moana, the northern royal albatross and star DOC's royal cam has left Pukekura/Taiaroa Head.

Date: 05 September 2016
DOC has started dismantling and removing the old Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre.

Date: 02 September 2016
The old Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre in Te Urewera will start being dismantled and removed next week.

Date: 02 September 2016
DOC is stressing the importance of keeping your distance and ensuring dogs are on a leash when where around seals.

Date: 02 September 2016
DOC is reminding whitebaiters heading out to rivers soon that whitebaiting is not permitted in national parks.

Date: 31 August 2016
DOC has completed the Abbey Rocks and Haast Arawhata pest control operations - two of the five South Westland sites.

Date: 30 August 2016
Pest control has been confirmed to tackle increased rodent levels that threaten Fiordland's vulnerable native species.

Date: 29 August 2016
After a near-fatal infection in April, Kuīni was released today onto Rotoroa Island to make a new beginning with her mate Anzac.

Date: 26 August 2016
We are continuing to support the Czech tramper rescued from the Routeburn Track on Wednesday.

Date: 25 August 2016
DOC is supporting the young woman whose companion has died on the Routeburn Track and is working with the police to establish exactly what has happened.

Date: 25 August 2016
Fight the War on Weeds by getting out and recording where the Dirty Dozen weeds are in your neighbourhood or local reserve.

Date: 24 August 2016
We're encouraging families to get outdoors and take advantage of 11 new and easy to access Toyota Kiwi Guardians sites.

Date: 15 August 2016
DOC is reminding whitebaiters to be aware of whitebait regulations as the 2016 season begins today.

Date: 11 August 2016
DOC welcomes the sentencing of Raniera Teitinga (Sonny) Tau in the Invercargill District Court today for the hunting of New Zealand pigeon or kererū/kūkupa.

Date: 10 August 2016
Mr Anaru Rihari was sentenced to one month imprisonment for taking marine life from Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve in October last year.

Date: 10 August 2016
MPI and DOC are using innovative technology to assist the recovery of critically endangered kakī/black stilts.

Date: 09 August 2016
The public have an extra 10 days to comment on the draft New Zealand sea lion/rāpoka Threat Management Plan.

Date: 09 August 2016
DOC is poised to start its Battle for our Birds pest control in the Arthur valley in Fiordland National Park this week to protect native wildlife from rats and stoats.

Date: 08 August 2016
With the 2016 whitebait season beginning later this month we'd like to remind whitebaiters to be aware of regulations.

Date: 06 August 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
The young orca which became separated from its pod in Tauranga Harbour has died, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has confirmed.

Date: 05 August 2016
Source: Orca Tactical Response Group: DOC is working with iwi, the Orca Research Trust and the local community as part of the Orca Tactical Response Group. This is the latest media release from the group.
The young orca calf undergoing medical treatment in a pool on the shores of Tauranga Harbour is making encouraging progress.

Date: 03 August 2016
Source: Orca Tactical Response Group: DOC is working with iwi, the Orca Research Trust and the local community as part of the Orca Tactical Response Group. This is the latest media release from the group.
A mission to save an abandoned orca calf has led to the calf being transferred into a temporary structure where it is receiving care from marine mammal experts.

Date: 03 August 2016
After a lengthy battle, DOC believes it has eradicated the invasive environmental weed tradescantia from Takapourewa/Stephens Island in Cook Strait.

Date: 02 August 2016
Source: Orca Tactical Response Group: DOC is working with iwi, the Orca Research Trust and the local community as part of the Orca Tactical Response Group. This is the latest media release from the group.
The Orca Tactical Response Group responding to the abandoned orca in the Bay of Plenty are intervening to benefit the calf’s wellbeing.

Date: 01 August 2016
A tactical team set up to respond to the plight of an abandoned orca is yet to receive reports of nearby orca pods to which the young calf might belong.

Date: 29 July 2016
DOC, local iwi and the Orca Research Trust met today to discuss how best to deal with a young orca detached from its family pod off the coast of the Bay of Plenty.

Date: 29 July 2016
DOC is working with both local and international marine specialists, along with local iwi, on how best to deal with a young orca detached from its family pod off the coast of the Bay of Plenty.

Date: 29 July 2016
Rock wren in the Homer Saddle and Gertrude Valley are making a comeback from catastrophic decline thanks to a predator trapping project run by volunteers.

Date: 28 July 2016
DOC is concerned about the welfare of a young orca swimming off the Bay of Plenty coast which appears to have been separated from its family pod.

Date: 25 July 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
Achieving the goal of a Predator Free New Zealand by 2050 will require a massive team effort across the public, private, iwi and community sectors, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

Date: 21 July 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
The largest pest control operation in New Zealand’s history has been launched today by Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.

Date: 21 July 2016
Source: Project Janszoon
A survey of carnivorous land snails in Abel Tasman National Park has found a critically endangered species is much more widespread than previously thought.

Date: 22 July 2016
DOC is talking with the Game Animal Council and the New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association to understand hunter concerns about the potential impacts of pest control operations on deer populations.

Date: 18 July 2016
Source: Kapiti Coast District Council
Road access to recreational facilities within the Tararua Forest Park has been restored after a seven-month closure.

Date: 15 July 2016
New Zealanders are being asked to have their say on the environmental science priorities facing the nation.

Date: 14 July 2016
Living Water, the Fonterra and DOC partnership, is helping a Fonterra farmer create a sanctuary for an endangered native bird on his Northland dairy farm.

Date: 13 July 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
The ambitious Million Dollar Mouse pest eradication project on remote Antipodes Island in the subantarctic has been completed ahead of schedule, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

Date: 11 July 2016
A 8.9 m humpback whale first spotted off the Kaikoura Coast in March 2016 has died and washed ashore on a beach near Ashburton.

Date: 08 July 2016
Keeping an eye on the beach at Awaroa in the Abel Tasman National Park is now a whole lot easier with a new webcam capturing real time images of the beautiful spot.

Date: 05 July 2016
DOC and leading civil engineering company Fulton Hogan have confirmed a $1 million partnership that will see critically endangered takahē continue to make strong progress back from the brink.

Date: 05 July 2016
Children are encouraged to think about how they could make a difference to their local environment in our Habitat Heroes competition.

Date: 04 July 2016
DOC welcomes information about an incident on 2 July when a young seal pup was driven at high speeds on a quad bike on Hokitika Beach.

Date: 23 June 2016
Meridian Energy has today been named as the new national partner of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme, in a partnership with DOC.

Date: 21 June 2016
The royal cam albatross chick at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head has been named Moana.

Date: 20 June 2016
DOC and Ministry for Primary Industries are seeking public comment on the draft New Zealand sea lion/rāpoka Threat Management Plan.

Date: 20 June 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has announced this year’s Dirty Dozen plants as part of the ongoing War on Weeds.

Date: 16 June 2016
National Volunteer Week is 19–25 June 2016.

Date: 15 June 2016
We are seeking feedback on the draft plan which details how the park will be managed in the future.

Date: 14 June 2016
A State Services Commission review of DOC shows the Department is on the right track to meet its conservation challenges.

Date: 03 June 2016
Get involved in the review of the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Management Plan.

Date: 01 June 2016
Have your say on the draft Paparoa National Park Management Plan that details how the park will be managed.

Date: 31 May 2016
We have begun upgrading tracks through our kauri forests to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback.

Date: 25 May 2016
The Million Dollar Mouse project to rid Antipodes Island of mice is underway with the departure of a rodent eradication team to the remote nature reserve and World Heritage Area.

Date: 24 May 2016
DOC has reduced the area of caution around Ruapehu’s crater to 400 m from the Crater Lake shore.

Date: 24 May 2016
Planning for our Battle for our Birds pest control programme to protect native wildlife from rats and stoats is underway in Fiordland National Park.

Date: 20 May 2016
Kaipupu Point Sounds Wildlife Sanctuary is to become a crèche for endangered rowi kiwi.

Date: 20 May 2016
The vulnerable Te Kakahu/Chalky Island skink is doing well thanks to a herpetofauna project supported by Chalky Digits and the Fiordland Conservation Trust.

Date: 19 May 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
This multi-million dollar community conservation fund has opened for applications.

Date: 17 May 2016
Source: Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust
New Zealand’s largest conservation conference, Conservation Inc, begins in Dunedin tomorrow.

Date: 16 May 2016
Source: Office of the Minister for the Environment
Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith announces the finalised route and huts for a Great Walk in memory of the 29 men who died in the Pike River Mine disaster.

Date: 13 May 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
Introduced kiore, ship rats and feral cats have been eradicated from Great Mercury Island.

Date: 11 May 2016
DOC today issued a warning to climbers and trampers on Mt Ruapehu not to enter the Summit Hazard Zone on the mountain until further notice.

Date: 11 May 2016
DOC is inviting submissions on a proposal to extend the mountain biking season on the Heaphy Track. Submissions can be made until 12 July 2016.

Date: 10 May 2016
The albatross chick at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head which has become an internet sensation will soon have a name.

Date: 07 May 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
The largest pest control operation in New Zealand’s history will be launched this winter in response to a pest plague which threatens vulnerable native wildlife, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

Date: 05 May 2016
A Danish national has been convicted and fined today in the Christchurch District Court for hunting and killing a protected species – whio/blue duck.

Date: 29 April 2016
Four female kākā released today into the Abel Tasman National Park will boost the breeding population of the large forest dwelling parrots.

Date: 29 April 2016
DOC's Kākāpō Recovery Team invites the public to come and view some of this year’s kākāpō chicks.

Date: 19 April 2016
New information panels, provided with support from the US embassy, have been unveiled on Kapiti Island.

Date: 19 April 2016
The muster of 100 Kaimanawa wild horses is planned for next week.

Date: 18 April 2016
Two great spotted kiwi (roroa) have been released in the Flora Valley area of Kahurangi National Park.

Date: 08 April 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
The first stage of a record breeding season for the kākāpō has come to a close, with the last egg of the year hatching this morning.

Date: 07 April 2016
DOC has begun working with boat owners, iwi and the wider Bay of Islands community on ways to better manage boat interactions with local bottlenose dolphins.

Date: 05 April 2016
DOC and Fish & Game are urging trampers and river users on the Milford Track to clean their gear before entering the area to prevent didymo being introduced to the Clinton River.

Date: 05 April 2016
Genesis Energy and DOC will continue their successful predator control and advocacy programme for the endangered whio/blue duck for another five years.

Date: 29 March 2016
Next week will be the last chance to drive the Acheron Road through Molesworth Station until Labour Day weekend as the road will close for the season.

Date: 23 March 2016
DOC has completed a wheelchair access trial on the Abel Tasman Coast Track to inform its investment programme for tracks and facilities.

Date: 18 March 2016
DOC and the State Forestry Administration of China have agreed to work together to protect wetlands visited by migratory birds.

Date: 18 March 2016
2016 may become the most successful kākāpō breeding in the history of the species recovery programme, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

Date: 18 March 2016
Buller DOC staff and students from Karamea Area School celebrated Whio Awareness Month with the release of five juvenile whio onto the Oparara River.

Date: 16 March 2016
Source: Air New Zealand
The new joint initiative builds on the existing work with DOC, and will support bird populations in the Abel Tasman area.

Date: 16 March 2016
A whale with missing tail flukes is thought to be moving north from Kaikoura. We ask people to keep their distance, and report any sightings to DOC.

Date: 15 March 2016
Source: Offices of the Minister of Conservation and the Minister for the Environment
Nominate your environmental champions for this year's Green Ribbons Awards. Nominations close 15 April 2016.

Date: 15 March 2016
DOC is encouraging hunters and trampers to let us know how much they're using backcountry huts to ensure the huts are maintained and replaced.

Date: 11 March 2016
A new wasp bait has been used to successfully control wasps around the picnic areas at Woolshed Creek and Sharplin Falls

Date: 11 March 2016
We are seeking information from the public about the possible cause of a fire that recently burnt about 90 hectares of scrubland and forestry at Hanmer Springs.

Date: 10 March 2016
Ipipiri/Eastern Bay of Islands have been pest-free since 2009. Our pest response was tested recently when several rats were detected during routine monitoring on the islands.

Date: 03 March 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
Brazilian beetles have been released into the wild in Wellington’s town belt to help control the pernicious weed tradescantia, or wandering willie.

Date: 01 March 2016
Rare native parakeets were today released into a Canterbury high country valley using a new ‘soft release’ technique that is proving better for the birds.

Date: 01 March 2016
DOC and the US Embassy will celebrate national parks and the benefits of getting out into nature during a visit to Tongariro National Park this week.

Date: 01 March 2016
DOC and Toyota have launched a programme to help families explore the outdoors and take action for nature.

Date: 29 February 2016
Twenty little spotted kiwi on Kapiti Island are moving to other locations as part of a project to boost their genetic diversity and overall population across the North Island.

Date: 24 February 2016
Access to Matiu/Somes Island will be restricted from 29 February 2016 due to a freshwater shortage.

Date: 23 February 2016
Six whio will be released on Mount Taranaki on 26 February as part of a project re-establishing a self-sustaining whio population in Egmont National Park.

Date: 19 February 2016
The first kākāpō chick of 2016 has hatched on Anchor Island in Dusky Sound, Fiordland.

Date: 18 February 2016
DOC has closed Manaia Sanctuary and the Hukarahi Block to prevent the spread of kauri dieback.

Date: 15 February 2016
Although 90,000 properties have been searched since the last find, further searches are required before the great white butterfly can be declared eradicated from Nelson Tasman.

Date: 10 February 2016
Introduced wasps are firmly in our sights this summer, as we expand our wasp control operations using the new wasp bait Vespex.

Date: 05 February 2016
DOC has ‘kea proofed’ hundreds of boxed stoat traps in the Murchison Mountains this summer following an unusual spate of kea interference with traps there.

Date: 02 February 2016
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
World Wetlands Day is a chance for New Zealanders to find out more about some of the country’s most important natural treasures.

Date: 02 February 2016
The Fonterra and DOC Living Water partnership is working with farmers to save a rare native plant on Northland’s Hikurangi flood plain.

Date: 28 January 2016
The rare white humpback whale spotted in Cook Strait in July last year has been confirmed as a Migaloo, the first found in New Zealand waters.

Date: 26 January 2016
A genetically-important female kākāpō has mated for the first time.

Date: 26 January 2016
Discarded hot ashes nearly burnt down Hope Arm Hut earlier this month.

Date: 26 January 2016
DOC has set up a web cam beside an albatross nest at Taiaroa Head on Otago Peninsula near Dunedin.

Date: 25 January 2016
A 3 year research project has begun to learn more about blue whales feeding in the South Taranaki Bight off the Taranaki coast.

Date: 19 January 2016
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing has received substantial damage from extremely heavy rain.

Date: 15 January 2016
Source: Nelson City Counciil
Nelson City Council and DOC are teaming up to deliver the council's multi-million dollar project Nelson Nature to improve Nelson's biodiversity.

Date: 15 January 2016
The first chick of the 2015/16 breeding season for the Northern Royal Albatross Colony at Taiaroa Head/Pukekura on Otago Peninsula was welcomed late yesterday.

Date: 13 January 2016
The Wellington Marine Conservation Trust has received $75,000 of funding from the DOC Community Fund to support their outreach programmes.

Date: 06 January 2016
Source: Maritime New Zealand
DOC has become the single largest vessel operator in the new Maritime Operator Safety System introduced last year by Maritime New Zealand.