Contacts for media enquiries
Date: 18 June 2021 People enjoying the country’s coastlines are being urged to admire NZ fur seals/kekeno from a safe distance, as the mammals come ashore for the winter.
Date: 18 June 2021 The rāhui laid by Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki on Motutapu Island will remain in place until further notice to aid in the capture of a stoat on the island.
Date: 17 June 2021 A large-scale planting exercise is underway around Lake Whangape, with tens of thousands of eco-sourced native plants set to go into the soil along the lake’s edges.
Date: 16 June 2021 DOC has decided to cancel a concession to graze cattle in the Haast River Valley after new information showed the cattle could not be contained in the licence area.
Date: 14 June 2021 DOC is advising people to be prepared to secure their place on a Great Walk when bookings open tomorrow, as the most popular slots are expected to be booked out within minutes.
Date: 11 June 2021 An image capturing the excitement of a mother and son, each holding a rainbow trout following a double hook-up at The Delta, a popular fishing spot on Lake Taupō, is the overall winner of this year’s DOC Taupō fishery photo competition.
Date: 11 June 2021 The Wairarapa experienced a bumper season at key outdoor sites this summer despite continued border closures, says DOC.
Date: 10 June 2021 DOC has approved a variation of an existing 2011 concession to construct a small hydro-electric power scheme at Griffin Creek on the West Coast.
Date: 10 June 2021 Aotearoa New Zealand has taken significant steps towards Predator Free 2050 in the five years since the launch of this ambitious goal, says DOC.
Date: 09 June 2021 People who live near or visit the west coast of the Auckland region are being urged to report sightings of the rare Māui dolphin.
Date: 08 June 2021 Source: The Office of the Acting Minister of Conservation A Jobs for Nature project to raise 480,000 native plants in nurseries across South Auckland will provide work for communities disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19, Acting Conservation Minister Ayesha Verrall says.
Date: 04 June 2021 The rimu counts are in. The DOC Kākāpō Recovery team is predicting a breeding season for this iconic, flightless taonga this summer.
Date: 03 June 2021 Newly released drone photography shows the impact of possums on a section of ancient forest in northern Coromandel, and also the value of predator control and restoring forest habitat.
Date: 03 June 2021 Anyone planning to head into the Canterbury outdoors this long weekend is urged to check the Department of Conservation website before venturing out, after flood damage closed some tracks in the region.
Date: 03 June 2021 DOC and kiwi protection groups are urging dog owners to keep their animals under control after the death of a monitored kiwi in Hawke’s Bay’s Kaweka Forest Park.
Date: 02 June 2021 Source: Office of the Acting Minister of Conservation | Minita Taupua mō Te Papa Atawhai Changes to whitebaiting regulations will improve the sustainability of threatened species, while ensuring that Kiwis can continue the tradition of catching a feed in their local river into the future, Acting Conservation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall says.
Date: 01 June 2021 The meat and liver of a great white shark have been seized by DOC following a search warrant at a residential address in Tauranga.
Date: 28 May 2021 Source: Office of the Acting Minister of Conservation The Government is accelerating the reclassification of stewardship land to ensure land with high conservation value is protected for future generations to enjoy, Acting Conservation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today.
Date: 26 May 2021 Visitors to Te Kuiti’s Mangaokewa Reserve are being urged to report fly tipping, vandalism and suspicious behaviour as damage and dumping continue at a site sacred to local hapū.
Date: 24 May 2021 Kiwi deaths by car in the Whangarei area are on the increase with four birds killed on Ngunguru Road in the last six months.
Date: 24 May 2021 The Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust will lift the rāhui placed between Motururu Okakari Point Marine Reserve Cape Rodney to Te Ārai ō Tāhuhu Te Arai Point at 3pm today.
Date: 18 May 2021 Climate modelling shows this year’s hot March has increased the chance of beech forest seeding next summer in parts of New Zealand, which could be bad news for native wildlife.
Date: 18 May 2021 Pest free sanctuary Motutapu Island is having a tough run with four stoat invasions in one year. Evidence shows that all stoats swam from the city, adjacent to the island.
Date: 17 May 2021 Two rare seabirds have been released back into the wild after crashlanding near two inland King Country towns.
Date: 14 May 2021 Te Papa Atawhai/Department of Conservation and the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust have laid to rest a dead minke whale discovered ashore on Te Hāwere-a-maki Goat Island on Monday 10 May.
Date: 14 May 2021 An ‘honest mistake’ has led to a local Northland man receiving a $1600 fine for the removal of historic war artefacts from Ruapekapeka Pa, north of Whangarei.
Date: 14 May 2021 Ngā Iwi o Taranaki, the eight iwi of the region, have lifted the rāhui on access to the Taranaki Mounga summit.
Date: 13 May 2021 A Jobs for Nature project will see out-of-work Canterbury hiking guides employed to protect the critically endangered kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet, Acting Conservation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall says.
Date: 13 May 2021 Source: Office of the Minister for Climate Change Progress towards the Government’s plan for a carbon neutral public sector by 2025 has accelerated thanks to funding announced today for more than 400 electric vehicles.
Date: 11 May 2021 A survey of rare plants has been completed at Waikato’s internationally significant Whangamarino Wetland, with excitement over the rediscovery of a seldom-found carnivorous species.
Date: 10 May 2021 DOC new plan to manage Himalayan tahr lays the groundwork for hunters to play a bigger part in tahr management in future years.
Date: 10 May 2021 From tomorrow, 2021/22 season bookings open for DOC huts and campsites with changes and modest price increases for some popular facilities.
Date: 07 May 2021 A group of popular Northland tracks have reopened today due to actions in place to manage the threat of feral dogs.
Date: 07 May 2021 An intensive hunt for lizards in the South Island mountains this summer has led to the discovery of what could be several new skink and gecko species.
Date: 06 May 2021 Locally-loved Sunrise Hut and Sunrise Track in the Ruahine Forest Park are open once again following renovations and improvements, says the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Date: 05 May 2021 Routes to the summit of Mt Taranaki are temporarily closed because of a rāhui, following the death of two climbers.
Date: 06 May 2021 Source: Office of the Acting Minister of Conservation Tourism businesses operating on public conservation land will have another six months of fees waived to help them adjust to the downturn in international visitors in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Acting Minister of Conservation Dr Ayesha Verrall has announced.
Date: 03 May 2021 Ocean enthusiasts from New Zealand and around the world can contribute directly to scientific research by analysing underwater footage from marine reserves.
Date: 03 May 2021 Fresh from a relocation and significant refurbishment, the historic Hooker Hut is ready to welcome new guests in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Date: 30 April 2021 Source: The Office of the Acting Minister of Conservation A suite of significant Jobs for Nature projects will boost conservation efforts and create jobs across the southern South Island, Acting Minister for Conservation Dr Ayesha Verrall announced from Te Anau today.
Date: 29 April 2021 With the changing seasons, it is important to be prepared for increased hazards and reduced facilities when hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Tongariro Northern Circuit.
Date: 29 April 2021 DOC's annual competition to name the new Royal Cam star has been narrowed down to five finalists with voting opening today to choose the winning name.
Date: 29 April 2021 Monitoring for possums in a southern Coromandel forest has revealed the success of a recent predator control operation aimed at protecting native species.
Date: 29 April 2021 Whio numbers in the Wangapeka-Fyfe Whio Security Site in Kahurangi National Park have surpassed the targeted 50 pairs and climbed to 79 pairs after 18 years of predator control and management.
Date: 29 April 2021 The popular Hacket Track in Mount Richmond Forest Park has reopened today with a temporary track constructed around a slip that closed the track earlier this month.
Date: 27 April 2021 Source: Office of the Acting Minister of Conservation A report outlining recommendations to strengthen the governance and good management practices within NZ Fish & Game has been released by Acting Minister of Conservation Dr Ayesha Verrall.
Date: 23 April 2021 Stoats caught on camera at Mount Holdsworth in Tararua Forest highlight the ongoing need for effective predator control.
Date: 22 April 2021 A single report of a bed-bug attack has seen three huts on the Whanganui Journey Great Walk being treated as if they have an infestation.
Date: 22 April 2021 North Island kōkako, bats, kākā, tūi and robin are set for a bumper year thanks to the success of a planned 1080 operation in the Rotoehu Forest area.
Date: 22 April 2021 The Heaphy Track is seeing growing popularity and with its mountain biking season getting underway on 1 May, DOC is reminding people that for a safe and enjoyable trip they should plan ahead and be well prepared.
Date: 21 April 2021 New Zealanders took to the outdoors in large numbers during peak summer, according to new data released by DOC.
Date: 20 April 2021 The annual Pureora Hunting Competition culminated with the event’s prizegiving, a bull roaring competition and stories of the ones that got away.
Date: 20 April 2021 DOC says public consultation on a marine sanctuary proposal for Te Pēwhairangi (Bay of Islands) opens today (20 April) for a 28-day period.
Date: 19 April 2021 More seals/kekeno are currently turning up on Whanganui beaches and DOC is asking people to give them space and leave them be.
Date: 16 April 2021 A programme to connect young people with nature aims to build skills and confidence, as well as increase their understanding of, and passion for, the natural environment.
Date: 15 April 2021 The southern section of the Hakarimata Walkway, one of Waikato’s popular tracks in the Hakarimata Ranges, is set to reopen to the public on Saturday 17 April following major track restoration work over the past 10 weeks.
Date: 15 April 2021 A group of rare Mahoenui giant wētā has a new home after a successful translocation to the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House this week.
Date: 14 April 2021 Children connecting with nature at 18 Wild Dunedin NZ Festival of Nature events will be able to redeem an exclusive medal, thanks to the support of Toyota Kiwi Guardians.
Date: 14 April 2021 The popular Hacket Track in Mount Richmond Forest Park has been temporarily closed due to a landslip making the track impassable.
Date: 13 April 2021 Finding a dead rat outside their classroom was a highlight of week nine for trainees in the Bay Conservation Alliance's Tauira Mahi programme, but it wasn’t a surprise.
Date: 08 April 2021 The 2021 kōkako nesting season has come to an end and there are high hopes for another 20 or more fledglings in Pirongia Forest Park.
Date: 08 April 2021 DOC will keep a number of tracks and Twilight Campsite closed for a further two weeks in the Far North due to reports of roaming feral dogs
Date: 08 April 2021 DOC has decided that media should have the same access to conservation land that the public enjoy, and media will no longer need to apply for a media permit.
Date: 06 April 2021 There are two new infected sites – one near the Tramline Track above Kaitoke swamp and another remote site in the Awana catchment.
Date: 01 April 2021 The campsite at Awaroa/Godley Head has temporarily been closed to the public after preliminary test results revealed asbestos at levels above health guidelines in some areas of the site.
Date: 01 April 2021 People enjoying Tauranga and Mt Maunganui’s coast and water this Easter are urged to be aware of the presence of great white sharks.
Date: 01 April 2021 DOC has closed a number of tracks and Twilight Campsite in the Far North due to reports of roaming feral dogs.
Date: 31 March 2021 The Whangamumu, Kauri Grove and Te Toroa Tracks on Cape Brett Peninsula in Pewhairangi/Bay of Islands will be temporarily closed from Friday 2 April to protect kauri from the threat of kauri dieback disease.
Date: 29 March 2021 A 30-year veteran of New Zealand’s hunting scene will oversee judging in the annual Pureora Forest Park Hunting Competition this year.
Date: 26 March 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation Recovery efforts over more than two decades have seen the North Island kōkako, one of Aotearoa’s most iconic birds, brought back from the brink of extinction, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says.
Date: 26 March 2021 New management techniques for Aotearoa’s rarest endemic bird, the tara iti / New Zealand fairy tern offers a hope for the future of the species, with a chick hatched and reared at Auckland Zoo and transferred to an offsite aviary before being released into the wild.
Date: 24 March 2021 DOC is urging deer hunters to take care during the peak of the roar this Easter weekend, as data shows a spike in hunting activity leads to an increase in injuries.
Date: 23 March 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation Conservation Minister Kiri Allan is welcoming a new initiative encouraging philanthropic contributions to save our national icon, the kiwi.
Date: 23 March 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation The release of 17 hand-reared whio/blue duck into Arthur’s Pass National Park later this week is a significant first and one of a number of whio releases planned across Aotearoa over the coming months, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says.
Date: 18 March 2021 The takahē population in Kahurangi National Park has been boosted with 15 takahē released in the park’s Gouland Downs area.
Date: 16 March 2021 More than 200 homes are required to meet this year’s desired muster target. With progress to date, the rehoming groups are hopeful that all places for horses required will be filled.
Date: 17 March 2021 Upgrades made to Kahunui Hut, a half-century-old historic gem on the East Coast, will help preserve some of the area's heritage.
Date: 16 March 2021 The newest trampers hut in Waikato’s Pirongia Forest Park is now bookable online.
Date: 26 February 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation New funding announced by Conservation Minister Kiri Allan today will provide work and help protect the unique values of Northland’s Te Ārai Nature Reserve for future generations.
Date: 11 March 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation An ambitious project to restore nature and sustain jobs in COVID-hit South Westland represents the biggest step yet on mainland Aotearoa towards the Predator Free 2050 goal, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says.
Date: 11 March 2021 America’s Cup spectators and island getaway seekers visiting the Hauraki Gulf’s popular Motuihe Island are being urged to abide by “island etiquette” to protect threatened species and ensure the island’s biosecurity.
Date: 11 March 2021 Boaties enjoying the ocean off the Waikato’s west coast are being urged to report sightings of the Māui dolphin, as a survey to determine the population of the rare mammals continues.
Date: 11 March 2021 Celebrate our connection to the sea this Seaweek by joining a community snorkel day at Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve this Saturday.
Date: 10 March 2021 As the breeding season for the Northern NZ dotterel/tūturiwhatu comes to a close on the Coromandel, DOC is expecting a positive productivity rate for the small and endangered shorebirds.
Date: 10 March 2021 Despite best efforts, three male sperm whales, ranging in length from 14 m to 17 m have died after being reported to DOC earlier this week.
Date: 09 March 2021 The moult season (February to April) is a crucial and stressful time for New Zealand’s cherished penguins, but our actions can make all the difference, says DOC.
Date: 03 March 2021 Stoats are being studied by Lincoln University students.
Date: 04 March 2021 The Milford Track’s resident pāteke/brown teal have been given another boost, bringing New Zealand one step closer to a new self-sustaining pāteke population.
Date: 04 March 2021 When fire tore through the Pukaki Scientific Reserve in the Mackenzie district, it was feared the critically endangered Izatha psychra moth was gone forever.
Date: 04 March 2021 Development of the Taranaki Crossing has entered a new phase, with work beginning on construction of new boardwalks across the Pouakai Tarns and the Ahukawakawa wetland.
Date: 03 March 2021 Ten critically threatened tūturuatu/shore plover have been evacuated from Motutapu Island and relocated to captive facilities while DOC hunts a stoat.
Date: 03 March 2021 A new study has found critically endangered Whenua Hou diving petrels, may need greater protection from lights on vessels in seas.
Date: 02 March 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation Some of the country's most forward-thinking early-career conservationists are among recipients of a new scholarship aimed at supporting a new generation of biodiversity champions, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says.
Date: 25 February 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation Conservation Minister Kiri Allan is encouraging New Zealanders to have their say on a proposed marine mammal sanctuary to address the rapid decline of bottlenose dolphins in Te Pēwhairangi, the Bay of Islands.
Date: 02 March 2021 From 2 March DOC is partnering with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) to provide an upgraded weather forecasting service using the latest technologies.
Date: 01 March 2021 A professional conservation couple will give a public lecture in New Plymouth on their 30 years of experience observing albatross as part of Seaweek 2021.
Date: 23 February 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation Three new Jobs for Nature projects will help nature thrive in the Bay of Plenty and keep local people in work says Conservation Minister Kiri Allan.
Date: 24 February 2021 DOC and Auckland Council are urging the public to report sightings of dogs on Hauraki Gulf’s pest-free islands after a recent spike of potentially illegal incidents.
Date: 24 February 2021 DOC is set to re-open a popular South Auckland walking track, Mount William Walkway.
Date: 18 February 2021 A new hut, built on the Mataketake Range near Haast in South Westland honours the late Dr Andrew (Andy) Dennis, a well-known conservationist, tramper and writer who left a bequest for the hut to be constructed.
Date: 18 February 2021 The travels of the only Antipodean albatross/toroa/hopo chick from the Chatham Islands in seven years are being tracked by a satellite transmitter.
Date: 17 February 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation DOC's new Heritage and Visitor Strategy is fully focused on protecting and enhancing the value of New Zealand’s natural, cultural and historic heritage, while also promoting a sustainable environmental experience, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says.
Date: 17 February 2021 Thousands of dollars of fines have been handed out by New Zealand courts following successful prosecutions of the owners of dogs that killed native wildlife.
Date: 16 February 2021 A trial underway on the edge of the North Island’s Pureora Forest is exploring how New Zealand’s native bats/pekapeka respond to different types of artificial light.
Date: 16 February 2021 DOC is investigating after a 120-metre long fishing net was found in Motu Manawa-Pollen Island Marine Reserve on 2 February by a DOC ranger.
Date: 12 February 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation Jobs for Nature funding will provide much-needed work for Northland locals, and contribute to the ongoing restoration of the Waipoua River awa, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says.
Date: 12 February 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation A historic collaboration between iwi groups in Northland to tackle Kauri dieback is being funded through the Government’s Jobs for Nature programme, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says.
Date: 14 February 2021 Mohua/yellowhead and other native forest bird numbers continue to grow more than two decades after predator control began in the remote Landsborough valley in South Westland.
Date: 11 February 2021 One of Mount Aspiring National Park’s most popular day walks – the Rob Roy Track, has officially reopened, DOC announced today.
Date: 11 February 2021 Work to find out more about South Westland lizard species has been given a helping hand through Jobs for Nature.
Date: 09 February 2021 The annual Pureora Forest Park Hunting Competition will return for 2021.
Date: 05 February 2021 The Eastern Okataina Walkway has been closed indefinitely due to a large slip and the risk of ongoing rockfall which presents a significant safety risk to track users.
Date: 05 February 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation A Waitomo-based Jobs for Nature project will keep up to ten people employed in the village as the tourism sector recovers post Covid-19 Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says.
Date: 05 February 2021 Recent successes and a setback for the critically endangered kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet highlight the highs and lows for conservationists working to save this taonga species.
Date: 03 February 2021 DOC is reminding people to tread lightly and follow the rules at their favourite camping spots this Waitangi weekend.
Date: 03 February 2021 Protecting Hauraki Gulf's 47 pest-free islands will be tackled by conservation dogs from DOC and Auckland Council with the support of Kiwibank during the America’s Cup.
Date: 02 February 2021 Two tracks in Waikato’s popular Hakarimata Ranges are in line for upgrades starting in February.
Date: 01 February 2021 Department of Conservation, Director General, Lou Sanson says New Zealand has lost a great advocate for native wildlife with the death of artist Bill Hammond.
Date: 02 February 2021 DOC is asking pet owners to ensure their animals are under control and kept out of prohibited areas following the recent death of a rare tawaki or Fiordland crested penguin, thought to have been killed by a dog at a Haast wildlife refuge.
Date: 29 January 2021 DOC's shark specialist reminds people travelling to the beach for the long weekend to be aware of those marine animals seen around our coastlines this summer.
Date: 28 January 2021 A surge in boat sales has DOC Taranaki Marine Rangers gearing up for a busy summer on and off the coastlines.
Date: 27 January 2021 After an extensive restoration, one of the oldest buildings at Christchurch’s Awaroa/Godley Head offers overnight guests affordable accommodation with an unrivalled view.
Date: 27 January 2021 As Chinese New Year draws nearer, people are being asked to double-check import rules for items such as traditional herbal medicines coming to New Zealand from overseas.
Date: 26 January 2021 DOC is expanding the number of sites where it displays COVID-19 QR codes to enable better contact tracing.
Date: 26 January 2021 Visitors to Te Toto Gorge, a picturesque, and culturally significant site, just south of Raglan, are being urged to report people rubbish dumping.
Date: 26 January 2021 The newest addition to the toroa/northern royal albatross colony at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head is ready for the Royal Cam spotlight.
Date: 26 January 2021 DOC is urging boaties to give animals plenty of space and always ‘watch where you are going’.
Date: 21 January 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation Upscaling work already underway to restore two iconic ecosystems will deliver jobs and a lasting legacy, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says.
Date: 20 January 2021 The fresh faces of conservation in Hauraki District are in “boots and all” to a busy summer.
Date: 19 January 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Biosecurity A major investment to tackle wilding pines in Mt Richmond will create jobs and help protect the area’s unique ecosystems, Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor says.
Date: 19 January 2021 DOC, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki kaitiaki and Kiwis for kiwi are working together to catch a stoat on pest-free Motutapu Island.
Date: 19 January 2021 Diverse native wildlife on Mount Pirongia can flourish this summer, thanks to a successful pest control operation, says DOC.
Date: 14 January 2021 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation Jobs for Nature funding is being made available to conservation groups and landowners to employ staff and contractors, Conservation Minister Kiritapu Allan has announced.
Date: 11 January 2021 The Volcanic Alert Level (VAL) for Mount Ruapehu has been lowered from level 2 to level 1 today.