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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
$1.7 million for Chatham Islands from DOC Community Fund
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced $1.7 million in funding from the 2026 Department of Conservation Community Fund for two projects on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Islands.
Ngāi Tūāhuriri places rāhui over customary whitebait season until further notice
Ngāi Tūāhuriri has placed a rāhui over their customary whitebait season this year, which will continue until further notice.
High Court finds Rotorua council broke law in handling of sewerage pipe near sacred lake
The Rotokākahi Board of Control, which manages Lake Rotokākahi, took Rotorua Lakes Council to court over the plan in December.
New toxic chemicals report shows NZ has lessons to learn
Greenpeace is welcoming the report from the Human Rights Commission into the human rights implications of the use of PCP in New Zealand. The post New toxic chemicals report shows NZ has lessons to learn appeared first on Greenpeace Aotearoa .
Kaikōura trust seeks review after DOC decides not to vaccinate penguins amidst bird flu
The Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust said little penguins were at risk of mass localised extinctions.
Taranaki Kōkako recovery to get $1 million boost
New funding will support predator control, habitat restoration and kōkako monitoring across more than 46,000 hectares of Taranaki forest.
Thousands of NZers demand ‘hands off conservation land’ in nationwide day of action.
Thousands of New Zealanders have joined protests today as part of a National Day of Action against the Conservation Amendment Bill. The post Thousands of NZers demand ‘hands off conservation land’ in nationwide day of action. appeared first on Greenpeace Aotearoa .
First discussions held on Hahei Beach Short Walk opportunity
DOC staff have met with Hahei Residents and Ratepayers Association (HRRA) for the first discussions on the opportunity to partner on reinstatement of the Hahei Beach Short Walk.
LNG document should not have been hidden, ombudsman says
The document concluded access to liquefied natural gas was unlikely to affect average electricity prices.
Revised plan for protection and management of sharks
The Government has approved a revised National Plan of Action to strengthen the conservation and sustainable management of sharks in New Zealand, says Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka.
Dome Valley landfill proposal returns to court over river rules
Forest and Bird is challenging the development over its impact on rivers.
30+ protests planned nationwide as NZers mobilise against Conservation Amendment Bill
More than 30 protests and community events will take place across Aotearoa in opposition to the Coalition Government’s Conservation Amendment Bill. The post 30+ protests planned nationwide as NZers mobilise against Conservation Amendment Bill appeared first on Greenpeace…
Three big NZ petrol companies barely shift greenhouse gas emissions in a year
Z Energy, BP and Mobil account for more than half of New Zealand's climate pollution - not including agriculture.
Bat boom around the Heaphy Track
Monitoring of long-tailed bats/pekapeka near the Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park has shown a tripling of bat activity due to effective ground-based and aerial predator control.
Warning that 'pests will not stop' for local government reform
Pests will not stop while the future of local government arrangements are worked through, councils are warning.
Coroner’s findings prompt safety messages for trampers
DOC is reminding the public to take precautions on difficult “off track” adventures following the release of a coroner's report into the death of a woman in the Arthurs Pass National Park in October 2021.
Pygmy blue whale washes ashore on West Coast
DOC is working with contractors with diggers to bury the whale's body in the sand near the dunes.
Climate change adaptation not keeping pace with fast-growing risks - report
Urgent efforts are needed to avoid an 'intensifying spiral' of response to extreme events, a Climate Change Commission report says.
What it takes to fight Deep Sea Mining, and protect the Pacific from US imperialism
Indigenous representation at the International Seabed Authority is crucial to protect the moana for all humankind and for future generations. This is more vital than ever as the Trump administration pushes for US access to so called ‘critical’ minerals and deep sea mining…
Mohaka sheep genetics to be stored as wild numbers drop
The Mohaka sheep is having its unique genetics preserved as its numbers in the wild continue to drop.
More than $1 million for Taranaki coastal habitat and kōkako
More than $1 million in Government funding will help restore some of Taranaki’s rarest coastal habitat and protect kōkako in the region’s north-east, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
Getting warmer in the search for whio
Spotting a shy duck in river rapids has become much easier, thanks to a trial project using thermal drones to find threatened whio in the Tongariro area.
Hauraki Gulf’s ‘stunning’ marine life captured in new video footage and 3D models
Sponges and black corals are among the spectacular species filmed by researchers surveying the underwater depths of rocky reefs in the Hauraki Gulf / Tīpaka Moana.
Auditor-General urged to launch inquiry into plans to build LNG terminal
There are clear questions about whether the terminal is worth the money, say consumer and climate groups.
Delmore housing development with plan to truck wastewater away gets fast-track approval
Treated wastewater will be transported off site during summer periods "when necessary" during the first phase of the development.
Housing development with plan to truck wasterwater away gets fast-track approval
Treated wastewater will be transported off site during summer periods "when necessary" during the first phase of the development.
Finding solutions to invasive purple weed in Manawatū
Manawatū rangers took up the challenge to find and eliminate purple loosestrife in a local wetland environment.
Emissions-saving furnace fires up at Glenbrook Steel Mill
The new electric arc furnace is expected to save the country a million tonnes in carbon emissions every year.
Commerce Commission to scrutinise Watercare's $15.2b plan
The 10 year investment will be paid for by Aucklanders through their rates bill.
Kiwi neighbourhoods with highest rooftop solar rates
Nationwide, rates of solar installation are lagging, but some towns and suburbs are bucking the trend.
DOC staff delight at rare spotted skink sighting
Herpetologists are excited at sightings of the rare Canterbury spotted skink in a place the lizards haven’t been seen in more than 50 years.
Schools closed as Ohakune faces water shutdown
Residents and visitors are being told not to use tap water or flush toilets, and to conserve supplies.
Alert warns Ohakune residents of water outage after quake damage
Residents and visitors are being told not to use tap water or flush toilets, and to conserve supplies.
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