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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.
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science
Environmental research, ecological monitoring, and scientific findings from universities, Crown research institutes, and field stations.
RSS ↗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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Goat Island next site for paid parking to support conservation
The car park at popular marine reserve at Te Hāwere-a-Maki / Goat Island in Leigh will be the next DOC site to introduce paid parking, following the successful pilot at three South Island locations.
Drone bait pod ready for predator-free action
The latest Predator Free 2050 tool is a bio-degradable bait pod that can be distributed by a drone with incredible accuracy. It has been designed to help target introduced predators along sensitive boundaries or in remote areas.
Making way for new Mangapurua bridges
A smoother Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride experience is coming for visitors, with 15 new structures – bridges and boardwalks – on the way for the Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka sections.
DOC on high alert after second H5 bird flu case
With the second case of H5 bird flu confirmed in a kāhu / harrier hawk in the Wairarapa yesterday, DOC has moved the region to a higher alert status.
Bird flu work steps up – second case confirmed
Work on the ground will step up after confirmation today a single Kāhu, swamp harrier hawk, which was found in the Wairarapa, is the second bird in New Zealand confirmed to have H5 bird flu, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka.
DOC on alert after H5 bird flu detection
DOC has plans in place and is closely monitoring the situation following the detection of H5 bird flu in a single migratory brown skua yesterday.
A Purple Pain – high-tech and low-tech combine to beat weeds
DOC Manawatū rangers are thinking outside the box when it comes to removing invasive plants from the wetlands of Horowhenua.
Building the future of sika deer herd management
New Zealand’s valued sika deer in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks have been designated as the North Island’s first ever Herd of Special Interest (HOSI).
Kahurangi’s Graham Valley Rd reopens for winter use
A key road leading into Kahurangi National Park has reopened earlier than expected, after significant repairs were completed ahead of schedule.
A new lease of life for Waikaremoana Holiday Park
DOC has completed the sale of Waikaremoana Holiday Park to Tūhoe iwi authority Te Uru Taumatua, ensuring the facility continues to thrive as a much-loved part of Te Urewera.
Huts with History – specialist Heritage Rangers move projects forward
DOC ranger Tim Groenendijk has a unique role, he’s ensuring that the heritage of the Lower North Island region is maintained for future generations.
Water-race Track kauri get help from the air and on the ground
Four days of hard work by a team of DOC staff has resulted in an important track surface upgrade, protecting kauri on the western side of Mt Karioi near Raglan.
Jessie’s on the job: trail lead has hands full
Glowing feedback from visitors is ensuring DOC’s Timber Trail Project Lead Jessie Sinnamon knows she’s on the right track in her busy role.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Celebrate Matariki in Puketī ngahere
Lights, laughter, learning and kai will fill Puketī ngahere on 9 July as a community Matariki celebration brings together culture, conservation and whānau.
Public urged to help locate rare dolphin in Bay of Islands/Te Pēwhairangi
DOC is asking locals and visitors naturing in the Bay of Islands/Te Pēwhairangi to be on the lookout for a rare Hector’s or Māui dolphin currently navigating local waters, and to report it if observed.
In Search of Giants: Surveying Powelliphanta
Crawling around in the dirt on the forest floor isn’t something I’ve done a lot of, but that’s because I’ve never snailed before!
"Massive" Canterbury mudfish delights DOC
Heading out to survey kōwaro/mudfish sites on the Canterbury Plains, DOC ranger Allanah Purdie never knows what to expect.
Collaborative wild deer management plan to protect Ruahine Forest Park
A new collaborative approach to managing wild deer in Ruahine Forest Park aims to reduce pressure on native forests while recognising the important role hunters and local communities play in caring for this special place.
Kaimai Mamaku free of kauri dieback
New Zealand’s southernmost kauri forest has been confirmed as free of Phytophthora agathidicida (PA), the pathogen causing kauri dieback disease.
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