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.
Kaupapa
policy
Legislation, regulatory decisions, resource consents, and policy developments affecting Aotearoa's environment.
RSS ↗Arthur's Pass campsite torn up by 4WD vehicles
The vehicles have left deep tyre tracks over a large area, compacting the soil, creating wide ruts and making the site much more susceptible to erosion, says DOC.
Gisborne slash clash: Mayor feels like 'meat in the middle'
The mayor says community members feel the council's approach to consent was not tough enough, but the forestry industry has expressed a different view.
Interference in Smith v Fonterra shows sinister side of polluters’ influence on politics
A retrospective law change, which makes it illegal to sue polluters over climate change damages, is evidence of corporate capture within Govt. The post Interference in Smith v Fonterra shows sinister side of polluters’ influence on politics appeared first on Greenpeace Aotearoa .
DOC awards $9.2 million to boost community-led conservation
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka today announced $9.2 million of DOC Community Fund funding will go to 20 community groups delivering conservation projects across New Zealand.
Iconic Klondyke corner damaged by vehicles
DOC is calling for information from the public after discovering serious damage from vehicles to Klondyke Corner Campsite, a significant area in Arthur’s Pass National Park.
Rūnanga receives funding for community-led wetland restoration project
Te Taumutu Rūnanga will be able to advance its plans to restore the wetland area of Muriwai o Whata (Coopers Lagoon) thanks to recently announced funding of $521,733 from the DOC’s Community Fund.
Gisborne District Council open to change over forestry management of slash, sediment
Council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann acknowledged the appointment of a government facilitator and promised to engage constructively with him.
Kawau Island residents weigh in on rubbish stoush
Sandspit Reserve residents say their home is being used as a dumping ground for the island's homeowners and holidaymakers.
North Auckland landfill proposal returns to court over river rules
Forest and Bird is challenging the development over its impact on rivers.
Former PM Norman Kirk's legacy marked with mountain
The previously-unnamed mountain near Lake Manapouri will now be known as Mount Kirk.
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 .
$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.
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.
Weekly digest
The week's top Aotearoa environmental news, straight to your inbox.