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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.
Awa & Moana
freshwater & marine
Rivers, lakes, wetlands, and coastal waters — water quality, marine reserves, and the health of Aotearoa's awa and moana.
RSS ↗Big boom for Wētāpunga population celebrated
New Zealand's heaviest insect has been taking big steps toward a population boom, with the success of a ground-breaking breeding and conservation programme.
Greenhouse gases hit record levels in New Zealand's atmosphere, new data shows
At the same time, the country's climate is changing, with warmer annual temperatures and a greater proportion of rain falling during extreme events.
At least 12 whales dead on Ninety Mile Beach as rescue continues
The whales, which could grow up to 2.6 metres long, were scattered across several kilometres of beach.
Auditor-General won't investigate LNG yet but 'remains interested' in Govt plans
Letter declining the inquiry reveals officials were still working on the case for LNG, including who would pay for it.
NZ's 'clean, green' reputation at risk, ex-UK envoy warns
Laura Clarke, now leading ClientEarth, says an EU complaint will test New Zealand's trade credibility.
NZ fishing guides call for cap on number of seasonal Australian guides
The New Zealand Professional Guides Association want to cap the number of guides in the country.
Nearly $4 million announced towards collecting forestry waste to be turned into biofuel
Five companies across the country will receive grants totalling $3.7 million to go towards setting up collection points for the forestry waste.
Cities sinking due to too much groundwater extraction may eventually lift again - study
The Japanese city of Osaka is rising again after decades of strict groundwater regulations.
Auckland property developer fined for unconsented earthworks at former landfill
The Auckland site's contamination issues were well known but the offending continued, said the council.
Mysterious Antarctic region that could lift sea levels by several metres must be studied - researchers
It’s largely unexplored - but scientists know the Wilkes Subglacial Basin is incredibly important for predicting the future.
Government more confident it can stay within its greenhouse gas budgets
That's despite warnings from the Climate Change Commission which in July said that all of New Zealand's climate targets were at risk.
Lodestone aims to raise up to $100m in NZX’s first major float since 2021
The solar energy company plans to use the proceeds to build more solar farms and expand its electricity retail business.
No regulations on too-hot homes likely until 2031
The door to Jared Laidlaw's Auckland townhouse gets so hot on a summer day that it burns your hand, he says.
Ministry delays rules on too-hot homes
The door to Jared Laidlaw's Auckland townhouse gets so hot on a summer day that it burns your hand, he says.
Flood resilience work along Southland's Mataura River progresses, mayor wants more
The Gore district mayor says a conversation as a community must be had on whether Southland spends more money on flood mitigation.
Native bird hospital short on funds despite government cash injection
BirdCare Aotearoa is one of the six facilities involved in the Government's bird flu surveillance.
Call for Sams Creek to be included in Kahurangi National Park
A petition calls on the government to protect the creek, and adjoining conservation land around the Tākaka River and Cobb Valley from future mining proposals.
Greenpeace activists removed after boarding NZ research vessel Tangaroa
Police are considering charges against Greenpeace protesters who occupied a state-owned ship in protest at seabed mining.
Marmite smears, live locusts to celebrate Orana Wildlife Park's 50th birthday
Earlier this week, the cash-strapped attraction received a $1.2 million lifeline from ratepayers.
Santana Minerals mining company offers $10m to protect lizards in Central Otago
If Santana Minerals’ open-cast gold mine in Central Otago’s Dunstan Mountains gets approval, an estimated 590,000 protected lizards could be killed.
Glimmer of hope in fight against kauri dieback
Currently there is no known cure for phytophthora agathidicida, otherwise known as kauri dieback.
Fast-track application to mine Denniston Plateau on West Coast rejected
The authority has informed Bathurst Resources that it can prepare and lodge a new application.
Climate: Report predicts El Niño death toll of almost half a million
"A very dangerous situation" is how one of the world's top climate scientists is describing the next six months ahead.
Bringing Aotea back to life through a te ao Māori lens
An iwi-led conservation project is undertaking one of the largest feral cat removal operations.
'New frontier' as Predator Free Dunedin sets sights on more pests
Predator Free Dunedin said the Orokonui Ecosanctuary has become a safe haven for native wildlife
Canterbury council votes to end controversial nitrate emergency declaration
A notice of motion declaring the emergency was passed on the eve of the previous council's departure.
Environmental impact of Central Otago gold mine fast-track bid 'really concerning' for locals
Opponents say it has been a "real schmozzle", with the project not suited to the fast-track process due to its complexity.
Tight timeframe of Central Otago gold mine fast-track bid 'really concerning' for locals
Opponents say it has been a "real schmozzle", with the project not suited to the fast-track process due to its complexity.
Canterbury council may declare nitrate emergency over
It's been a year since the council voted to declare the emergency as nitrate levels climbed across the region.
4WD group plants native trees to fix damage
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.
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