RSS feed to media releases from the Department of Conservation website.bf9607b8-c7af-4dee-8fb7-62af9f9cf727New Zealand Department of Conservation2026-11-11T16:54:33+13:00a5dbafde-dab4-4854-96da-3fc74f9d2c7e

DOC has temporarily closed a section of the Pinnacles Track near Mount Somers in Mid-Canterbury after a large rockfall covered the track.

2026-11-11T00:00:00+13:002026-11-11T00:00:00+13:00bdfb19a1-7292-48ae-ab96-3f56624086ec

The popular Wairere Falls Track officially reopened yesterday (4 November) with a ceremony led by iwi leaders and the Department of Conservation.

2026-11-05T00:00:00+13:002026-11-05T00:00:00+13:0056dfedc6-d00f-4cc2-996f-0fdb0922440c

Visitors arriving at the gun emplacement WW2 heritage site at Awaroa/Godley Head could soon be in for a very surprising encounter.

2026-11-05T00:00:00+13:002026-11-05T00:00:00+13:00e73ea18e-ab6b-4aba-9715-9eca77864f00

Heading into the backcountry is getting easier with the introduction of electronic backcountry hut tickets.

2026-11-04T00:00:00+13:002026-11-04T00:00:00+13:00b7b740bb-72a6-4de6-9b88-77ca0c79b830

Viewers of the Royal Cam, which broadcasts live 24/7 video of a toroa/albatross nest at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head, were stunned to see one laying an egg on Sunday morning.

2026-11-04T00:00:00+13:002026-11-04T00:00:00+13:00d97c3cf0-95f3-4fb8-9496-6e9eb3f0cdf2

One of New Zealand's rarest birds could be preparing to breed at Ruakākā for the first time in nearly four decades, offering an exciting sign of progress for the critically endangered tara iti/NZ fairy tern.

2026-11-04T00:00:00+13:002026-11-04T00:00:00+13:00e45b311e-9091-4a20-8f6f-374aed0a77b7

In a blow to dedicated volunteers, a large number of recently planted native trees have been stolen from Ohinetonga Scenic Reserve in Owhango.

2026-11-03T00:00:00+13:002026-11-03T00:00:00+13:0045c0ab71-6f37-477a-82c9-8fcbac57d206

Wellington retiree Penny Race isn’t a gym-goer, but she reckons her arm strength is impressive.

2026-10-30T00:00:00+13:002026-10-30T00:00:00+13:00479c065a-c7e1-461a-bb33-96fbb096d42b

Reported dog attacks on protected kororā/little blue penguin continue to rise annually, according to new data compiled by DOC.

2026-10-29T13:00:00+13:002026-10-29T13:00:00+13:001395784f-c1d8-4f59-a62a-e10944377536

Satellite tracking of green sea turtles is revealing habitat hotspots and remarkable long-distance movements around New Zealand's coastline.

2026-10-29T10:00:00+13:002026-10-29T10:00:00+13:0094d7a6ff-5311-495f-8e85-ca6b306ee738

One observant horse rider, a few photographs, and a quick call to DOC have led to the discovery and removal of 141 invasive sea spurge plants from Ninety Mile Beach.

2026-10-27T00:00:00+13:002026-10-27T00:00:00+13:00098d8ee7-ef04-4937-8b12-6256946faa90

The Mangapurua Track, an iconic part of the Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride, reopens to cyclists on Saturday 24 October with new bridges improving safety and experience for all users.

2026-10-23T00:00:00+13:002026-10-23T00:00:00+13:0038f09805-4120-48d3-8f8e-46cbbca0b7d8

Clawing back a critically endangered ancient weevil from the brink of extinction is the goal of a new trial run by DOC.

2026-10-23T00:00:00+13:002026-10-23T00:00:00+13:0051922704-40df-4243-825c-098051c2069a

A new partnership between DOC and RealNZ will boost conservation initiatives and strengthen joint efforts to protect Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique natural heritage.

2026-10-23T00:00:00+13:002026-10-23T00:00:00+13:00585bd5df-dde8-497d-a515-08b27b27926e

DOC marine protection rangers are preparing for the second summer of patrolling the marine protected areas of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana.

2026-10-22T00:00:00+13:002026-10-22T00:00:00+13:003dfe8744-0948-46bc-b5f4-8544620d853b

A 30 per cent decline in king shag/kawau pāteketeke numbers since 2021 is a stark reminder for Marlborough Sounds boaties to help this nationally endangered species by giving it space when out on the water.

2026-10-22T00:00:00+13:002026-10-22T00:00:00+13:00a6fae127-5b91-44a2-b695-86212ae39a5e

Upgrades at Dunedin’s Tunnel Beach are improving visitor safety and resilience and sharing the area’s rich Kāi Tahu cultural history.

2026-10-22T00:00:00+13:002026-10-22T00:00:00+13:00229528db-3519-4ffe-ad2c-d7af9d2abbaa

A new suspension bridge on the lower Tongariro River was gifted the name Te Tauranga o Waikari at a karakia and naming ceremony on Friday 16 October.

2026-10-20T00:00:00+13:002026-10-20T00:00:00+13:00a1755f2c-4476-4085-ad13-c204365f5e1d

DOC staff have met with the Hahei Residents and Ratepayers Association (HRRA) for a second time to work through next steps for the Hahei Beach Short Walk.

2026-10-14T00:00:00+13:002026-10-14T00:00:00+13:002716fa4d-3f2b-4b36-b7c5-10910627290a

Amazing drone images of an elusive and critically endangered wetland bird are helping DOC locate and understand nesting activity.

2026-10-13T00:00:00+13:002026-10-13T00:00:00+13:006ed8c597-d3d2-4abd-bc65-e6fd510036a4

With at-risk flesh-footed shearwaters returning to NZ shores over the next couple of months, DOC reminds recreational fishers and beachgoers to take extra care to protect these seabirds from fishing gear and plastic waste.

2026-10-10T00:00:00+13:002026-10-10T00:00:00+13:002531d55f-f3a6-46a7-969c-beb072e85903

DOC and Ngāti Konohi are inviting the public to have their say on the 25-year review of Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve.

2026-10-07T00:00:00+13:002026-10-07T00:00:00+13:0027066949-4d53-4c7c-81fc-406b58833f1c

Nine internationally significant sites representing some of our most outstanding cultural and natural heritage have been selected for New Zealand’s World Heritage Tentative List.

2026-10-07T00:00:00+13:002026-10-07T00:00:00+13:00ea2c2bcc-09e8-404a-af0c-56ecd9dbb85c

A brand-new digital tool will give early warning of new and emerging weeds, potentially saving NZ millions of dollars in weed control.

2026-10-06T00:00:00+13:002026-10-06T00:00:00+13:00cd8040e0-9be5-49b6-938a-a0cc0d7c18f8

DOC and Southland Fish & Game are reminding waterway users to Check, Clean and Dry their gear following a new discovery of didymo in Fiordland.

2026-10-06T00:00:00+13:002026-10-06T00:00:00+13:00a38c58d0-79e9-41b9-acc4-7766ebc5a53b

Kiwi in Tongariro Forest are more vulnerable after vandals burned and smashed ferret traps vital to protecting the birds.

2026-10-05T13:00:00+13:002026-10-05T13:00:00+13:0023d983db-5ec3-4ffc-8cfb-4138724d5fe2

The success of a large-scale recovery programme for wētāpunga/Little Barrier giant wētā, New Zealand’s heaviest insect, has been officially documented in the New Zealand Journal of Zoology.

2026-10-02T17:00:00+13:002026-10-02T17:00:00+13:000304557e-b90e-42eb-93fe-a996e985d7f4

Planning and paying for backcountry trips is getting easier, with DOC adding another 62 huts and campsites to its online booking system and moving Backcountry Hut Tickets online.

2026-10-01T11:30:00+13:002026-10-01T11:30:00+13:00327cc500-ae4b-4039-a60d-3edcc060af65

Hundreds of hectares of weed and deer control have been conducted across the Tongariro landscape since last year's fires, but there's still much to do.

2026-09-30T00:00:00+13:002026-09-30T00:00:00+13:0051d04c90-e7ac-4bb3-970f-13e55707e841

The government is boosting support for wildlife care facilities because of their key role in New Zealand’s bird flu surveillance and response, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka and Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard say.

2026-09-24T00:00:00+12:002026-09-24T00:00:00+12:0092926fa8-3db1-4068-a2a6-6e9c5d7e0e53

A four-wheel drive (4WD) club has joined forces with the Department of Conservation to fund and plant native shrubs and trees to help cover damage done by vehicles.

2026-09-23T00:00:00+12:002026-09-23T00:00:00+12:00dbf9adc8-9f7c-434f-b921-96aaa43935ee

The Government is taking a practical step to address contaminated sites on Crown-owned land.

2026-09-23T00:00:00+12:002026-09-23T00:00:00+12:00ee64f5a0-bf4f-4846-9a56-414bdee72454

DOC has confirmed toxoplasmosis was the cause of death of a pregnant Hector’s dolphin found at Invercargill’s Oreti Beach last month.

2026-09-22T00:00:00+12:002026-09-22T00:00:00+12:00eb48208a-1790-4742-bb62-77268c7f7495

DOC will install a special “pause gate” on the first bridge up the Hooker Valley track at Aoraki/Mount Cook to manage the number of people using it.

2026-09-22T00:00:00+12:002026-09-22T00:00:00+12:0048377e70-99ec-428a-8b3d-59c546bde095

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.

2026-09-18T00:00:00+12:002026-09-18T00:00:00+12:003ec6572b-7a65-4b90-b761-3e332a568c93

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.

2026-09-17T00:00:00+12:002026-09-17T00:00:00+12:0062acc3c9-fcfd-428e-8b34-ccf8b9281e78

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

2026-09-17T00:00:00+12:002026-09-17T00:00:00+12:005ba06d5c-bc04-4766-ade3-73db77924623

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

2026-09-16T00:00:00+12:002026-09-16T00:00:00+12:00369abebf-5e72-41e0-b2ae-95ef815ff38d

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.

2026-09-15T00:00:00+12:002026-09-15T00:00:00+12:005a55eadd-87d9-4d91-bb17-c33557aa1fce

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.

2026-09-14T00:00:00+12:002026-09-14T00:00:00+12:00