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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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Environmental research, ecological monitoring, and scientific findings from universities, Crown research institutes, and field stations.
RSS ↗Stay vigilant in spring for safe outdoor adventures
Spring is here with longer days and the promise of warmer temperatures. But with many of us taking a winter hiatus, NZ Mountain Safety Council has some essential advice for easing back into more adventurous hikes and tramps.
Ignoring closure will shut Wairere Falls for longer
Just one week into work to repair the popular Wairere Falls Track and the project is hitting roadblocks – because visitors keep ignoring the publicised closure.
New Zealand’s rarest parakeet numbers soar in Nelson
A joint annual survey of kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeets has delighted Department of Conservation rangers with close to 300 birds counted at the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary in Nelson.
Susan O’Regan appointed QEII National Trust Chair
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has today announced the appointment of Susan O’Regan as Chair of the QEII National Trust Board.
Clear traplines after successful predator control operation
Rodent and stoat numbers have dropped to almost undetectable levels across a remarkable biodiversity hotspot in Kahurangi National Park following a recent successful predator control operation.
Moratorium on new marine mammal permits
DOC has announced a 10-year moratorium on new marine mammal permits in the Banks Peninsula/Te Pātāka-o-Rākaihautū area.
Black robin recovery gains momentum
The future is looking brighter for the Karure/Kakaruia/Chatham Islands black robin, with ongoing monitoring and research showing encouraging signs of recovery.
First fledgling toroa fly from Pukekura/Tairaoa Head
The first toroa/royal albatross chicks have left their nests and launched into 5-year adventures across the world’s oceans.
First fledgling toroa fly from Pukekura/Taiaroa Head
The first toroa/royal albatross chicks have left their nests and launched into 5-year adventures across the world’s oceans.
Armour made of minerals, crystals and silk
High in the windswept mountain tops of the West Coast an endangered caddisfly was found hundreds of kilometres from where it was originally discovered.
New funding for Whangamarino wetland, insect heavyweight
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced two new International Visitor Levy (IVL) investments while in the Waikato, today — funding to protect the Whangamarino wetland, and further work to maximise breeding opportunities for the Māhoenui giant wētā at Otorohanga Kiwi…
Loop linked again as work continues on Tongariro Northern Circuit
The full Tongariro Northern Circuit will operate as a loop this summer, but setbacks in construction of the new Oturere Hut have delayed the hut’s opening until mid-December.
Startling photos show possum forest damage
New monitoring work has revealed startling proof of possum damage to native mountain tōtara and kaikawaka/mountain cedar trees in a Mid Canterbury forest.
Wairere Falls carpark closed to allow summer opening
A full closure of Wairere Falls Track, carpark and toilets will allow completion of works and reopening in time for summer naturing.
Plants with superpowers – and how they can help protect us
DOC's only commercial nursery is trying to restore the Canterbury Plains and Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula, one native plant at a time.
Stop pests hitching a ride this whitebait season
DOC is urging whitebaiters to help keep waterways pest-free this whitebaiting season by following Check, Clean, Dry advice.
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.
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