Video: DOC
Without a plan, a Predator Free Aotearoa is only a dream
We’ve launched the Predator Free 2050 Strategy which plans our pathways forward, taking us one step closer to saving thousands of threatened native species.
Predator Free 2050 is about working together to create strong ecosystems that support native species to flourish and enhances our culture and wellbeing. How you can be involved:
- Watch the video
- See how others are actioning #OneStepCloserPF2050
- Read the strategy
Watch Air New Zealand’s safety video with special guest Mr T
The new safety video “Journey to safety” tells the story of transporting a takahē to a safe place.
Air New Zealand supports DOC with transporting New Zealand’s threatened species. Learn more about what this involves and how you can help
Video: Air New Zealand | ©
New podcast episode – Batman
Colin O’Donnell didn’t exactly say that we could call him The Batman, but he didn’t say not to…
Nic Toki talks with Colin about bats/pekapeka – Aotearoa’s only endemic land mammal – and the impacts of predators.
Listen to episode 8 of Sounds of Science podcast
Image: DOC
Recreation
Tampons and tramping
When hiking in a remote public conservation area, it can be an unwelcome surprise being caught short. It’s hard to navigate, from both the lack of supplies and the lack of toilet facilities on alpine walks.
But don’t panic, here’s what to do
Image: DOC
Routeburn and Milford Great Walks now partly open
These Fiordland Great walks have been partly reopened for the remainder of the season.
The Routeburn Return and the Southern Milford-Mackinnon Experience can be booked online.
Image: DOC
When you’ve gotta go
National parks are home for many native species and are here to be enjoyed by all New Zealanders and our international guests, which means the track isn’t the right place to go.
When you’ve gotta go, here are two options for when there’s no toilet and absolutely no chance you’ll make it
Image: Lindsay Young | DOC
Get involved
Himalayan tahr control
Himalayan tahr can move in large groups browsing alpine herbs, tussocks and shrubs. These large groups can transform tall tussocks and subalpine shrublands to a grassy turf or bare ground.
Hunters can help protect the environment and contribute to tahr management
Image: DOC
The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park turns 20
Twenty years ago, New Zealand established its first, and only, national park of the sea – the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park/Ko te Pātaka kai o Tīkapa Moana.
Read about the wildlife that calls the gulf home and what we can do to help
Image: Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari | ©
History in the making – largest proposed marine network
At DOC we’re proud to be a part of one of the most significant Marine Protected Areas network proposals New Zealand has ever had.
A network that is one-step closer to reality now that the consultation is released. Submissions are due by 17 April
Image: John Barkla | ©
Our work
Helping protect braided river species
Braided river species like black stilt/kakī and black billed gull/tarāpuka have had the best chance of survival this nesting season thanks to new predator control networks in the Cass and Godley River valleys.
This video shows how nests are being monitored to see the impact of predator control
Video: Te Manahuna Aoraki
Pāteke going strong in Fiordland
The brown teal/pāteke is the rarest waterfowl on mainland New Zealand and was considered functionally extinct from the South Island since the 1990s.
Recently, eight pāteke were released in the Arthur Valley, home to the Milford Track, building on the 63 released in March 2019
Image: Sabine Bernert | ©
Reflecting on the Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Supreme Court decision
Iwi and hapū are not stakeholders, they’re our Treaty partners. It is critical that we listen to our Treaty partners and work together towards realising the principles of the Treaty.
Listen to Director-General Lou Sanson and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Tribal Trust Chair James Brown as they reflect on the Supreme Court decision and talk about the work ahead of us
Video: DOC
Nature
Bat-flies
Is it a spider? Or is it an ant?
No… it’s a Bat-fly!
We join the short-tailed bat monitoring team, for their latest Fiordland Bat Diaries entry, as they introduce us to a native flightless fly
Image: Bex Jackson | DOC
New international protection for frequent fliers
The Antipodean albatross has new international protection for its 100,000 kilometre migration thanks to collaborative efforts by New Zealand, Australia and Chile.
Find out more about the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species
Image: Finlay Cox | DOC
Marine climate change
Climate change effects are considered the top threats to marine ecosystems according to a 2012 study.
The likely impacts from climate change on some of our marine species and ecosystems are relatively easy to predict and understand, but others require a bit more investigation.
Image: ©
Image: Whio Forever | ©
Photo of the month
We have some exciting news to share this Whio Awareness Month!
A record-breaking 87 blue duck/whio ducklings have been found in eight rivers on Mount Taranaki. These incredible results are due to the increased predator control mahi on the mountain/maunga and neighbouring farmland.
75 years ago, there weren’t enough remaining birds to recover a healthy population and local whio were classified as “Functionally extinct”, due to predation by stoats and rats.
Now there are 31 breeding pairs and this boost of ducklings takes them one step closer to a self-sustaining population.