whenua.news
KAITIAKITANGA — CARING FOR AOTEAROA'S NATURAL WORLD
Environmental news for Aotearoa New Zealand — for DOC rangers, conservation practitioners, environmental scientists, and anyone who cares about this land.
Latest from DOC & RNZ Environment
Nelson Tenths: Nick Smith concerned settlement will mean loss of protection for Abel Tasman
The Nelson Tenths Bill would enable the transfer of more than 250 specific titles of land from the Crown to Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust.
Women devastated wetland forest could be felled to make way for highway
Two towering stands of kahikatea trees form a natural gateway to the historic town of Waipū in Northland but their days may be numbered.
Giant petrel found dead on Farewell Spit to be tested for bird flu
Since detections of bird flu in Australia, an official said there had been an uptick in reports of dead and sick wildlife.
March for Nature launched to protect conservation
Greenpeace and Forest Bird have announced a March for Nature to be held in Auckland on 19 September 2026, in defence of nature. The post March for Nature launched to protect conservation appeared first on Greenpeace Aotearoa .
Become a bird brain this school holiday
At a loss trying to find entertaining, but wholesome and outdoorsy activities for the kids this school holiday? Amateur birding could be the way to go.
DOC rangers reveal their top 5 winter walks
Looking for some ideas for the school holidays and Matariki? Or do you feel like you need a little mental reset or ‘me time’?
Marine Mammal Sanctuary rules change to improve dolphin protection in Te Pēwhairangi (Bay of Islands)
A change has been made to the rules which regulate our interactions with marine mammals in Te Pēwhairangi (Bay of Islands) Marine Mammal Sanctuary.
Environmental group hails court decision on orange roughy catch-limit
A judge has found a former minister failed to consider protection for important environments, like spawning grounds, when deciding the limit.
Bill banning climate tort cases like Mike Smith's passes first reading
Labour has announced it would repeal the legislation if it wins government.
Tarakihi stocks in shocking state after decades of overfishing, advocates warn
The Environmental Defence Society is calling for a complete closure of the entire fishery to provide the best chance of recovery.
Greenpeace slams issuing of High Seas permit for Tasman Sea bottom trawler
The Tasman Viking, a bottom trawling vessel that pulled up protected coral in international waters two years ago, has been issued an international fishing permit by the New Zealand government in a move environmentalists are calling outrageous. The post Greenpeace slams issuing…
Paid car parking to continue at DOC sites
DOC will continue with paid parking at three sites in the South Island raising much needed revenue to better protect nature.
DOC to vaccinate ‘at risk’ birds against bird flu
DOC is set to begin vaccinating some of New Zealand’s most threatened bird species to protect them against the highly virulent strain of H5N1 bird flu, in case it arrives here.
Government makes dog’s breakfast of the Conservation consultation
Greenpeace says Govt has made a “dog’s breakfast” of the Conservation Amendment Bill consultation, as submissions deadline is extended. The post Government makes dog’s breakfast of the Conservation consultation appeared first on Greenpeace Aotearoa .
Conservation Amendment Bill submissions extended by 10 days
Submissions on the Conservation Amendment Bill have been extended after the minister asked the committee to allow a broader discussion of the proposed law.
El Niño officially declared in New Zealand
Earth Sciences NZ has followed counterparts in Australia, Japan and the US in declaring an El Niño event.
DOC chief admits department failed over Far North campgrounds
The Department of Conservation has acknowledged it failed to properly oversee the management of three Far North campgrounds for years.
Minister accuses Forest and Bird of 'unnecessary scaremongering' over game animal bill
Forest and Bird has slammed the Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill, saying it will prioritise "wealthy trophy hunters" over conservation.
DOC and Ngāti Kuri divided over whether $1.8m owed after campground mismanagement
The Department of Conservation has acknowledged it failed to properly oversee the management of three Far North campgrounds for years.
Allowing cattle effluent into stream brings home detention
Tokanui man Andrew Wright was convicted on 35 breaches of the Resource Management Act.
Corals and clams pile up – a CITES reminder this school break
As Kiwis head off on their mid-winter getaways, DOC has revealed more than four tonnes of protected corals and shells have been seized in the last few years.
Nature therapy – what the DOC recommends
With winter upon us, DOC is launching a new campaign encouraging people to get outside and boost their mental well-being.
Massive mussels in NZ waters replicated in new research
Recycled green-lip mussel shells leftover from farms, that would otherwise be thrown into landfill, are being used to mimic the role once played by the dense horse mussel beds.
Farmland effective nesting habitat for endangered hoiho penguins, new research finds
Hoiho penguins are declining on the South Island, but a new study says that they can thrive on farmland without the need for expensive reforestation projects.
Hefty penalty for cutting down protected native trees
A businessman ordered to pay $7200 in reparation for cutting down protected native trees near Kaiteriteri without permission can now be named.
Stormy weather could be behind mass death of eagle rays at Porirua beach
The discovery of at least 20 dead eagle rays and two Rig sharks was made during a beach clean-up on Sunday.
High Court was wrong to find order forcing councils to fluoridate unlawful, appeal finds
The Health Ministry appealed a High Court decision that found its order forcing 14 councils to fluoridate was unlawful.
Climate change activist files High Court proceedings over government ruling
Mike Smith has filed a court case against the government's plans to prevent companies being sued over their greenhouse gas emissions.
The big switch: Electrifying NZ homes could save billions
Going all-electric is no longer just a climate argument, an advocate says - it is an economic one.
Biodiversity gains from multi-million philanthropic investment in Abel Tasman to be handed over to DOC
Whio, pateke and kaka have been reintroduced into the Abel Tasman, and gorse and wilding pines have also been removed from the landscape.
DOC’s catch of the day: tasty science insights
We’re lobster potting for data - not dinner.
Genetic switch helps land-locked whitebait adapt
Researchers find the fish undergo dramatic biological shifts when their path to the sea becomes blocked.
Santana Minerals asked if it will cover cost of catastrophic failure at proposed Otago mine
It was also asked how it plans to protect more than 100,000 at-risk lizards.
Weekly digest
The week's top Aotearoa environmental news, straight to your inbox.