Department of Conservation - Latest News [Page 12]
Te Puke Heritage Pā Restoration Underway Thanks To Jobs For Nature
Tuesday, 15 February 2022, 1:36 pm | Department of Conservation
The first steps to restoring Maungaruahine Pā, an imposing hilltop fortress which stands gazing out over the flat lands to the coast at Pāpāmoa, are underway. The pā site, formally Maungaruahine Pā Historic Reserve, was returned to Waitaha-a-Hei ... More >>
Severe Storm Damage Heaphy Track
Wednesday, 9 February 2022, 3:19 pm | Department of Conservation
Last week’s torrential rain has severely damaged parts of the Heaphy Track and it is closed until Sunday (13 February). Department of Conservation Buller Operations Manager Suvi Van Smit says rangers flew by helicopter over the track yesterday to ... More >>
Protected Birds Aren’t Target Practice
Tuesday, 25 January 2022, 4:22 pm | Department of Conservation
Department of Conservation staff are appalled at reports of protected seabirds found killed or injured by blowdarts in Waikanae. There have been two Facebook posts in the last fortnight regarding sightings of red billed gulls on the Kapiti Coast with ... More >>
Pōwhiri For National Stewardship Land Panel
Tuesday, 25 January 2022, 10:39 am | Department of Conservation
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio will formally welcome the Western South Island stewardship land national panel to the West Coast with a pōwhiri at the Arahura marae near Hokitika today. The Minister ... More >>
Bold Bittern Bucks The Trend, Strikes A Pose In Backyard
Thursday, 20 January 2022, 1:34 pm | Department of Conservation
A bold young bittern has caused a stir in Waikato, striking a pose in a Cambridge couple’s urban backyard. Australasian bittern/matuku are rare in New Zealand. The wetland species’ population is estimated to be less than 1000 individuals, and ... More >>
$5000 Reward In Kaikōura Seal Killings Investigation
Tuesday, 11 January 2022, 9:26 am | Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation is offering a $5000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of whoever was responsible for killing at least eight fur seals on the Kaikōura coast late last year. Eight fur seals are known to have been shot ... More >>
Increase In Great White Shark Sightings In The Tauranga Area
Wednesday, 22 December 2021, 11:17 am | Department of Conservation
An increase in Great White shark sightings in the Tauranga area have prompted the Department of Conservation to remind people to remain vigilant when out swimming and to report all sightings to 0800 DOC HOT. Reports of great whites have increased ... More >>
More Wins Than Losses In Latest Bird Threat Report
Tuesday, 21 December 2021, 7:22 pm | Department of Conservation
The latest bird threat classification report is a testament to conservation efforts throughout Aotearoa, but we can’t take our eye off the ball. Of the 491 birds assessed by an expert panel, 25 species have improved in status while 22 have declined since ... More >>
DOC Makes Marine Species And Habitat Maps Accessible For Everybody
Monday, 20 December 2021, 12:21 pm | Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation has made public more than 300 marine data layers and an interactive map tool to visualise, analyse, and download them. The data layers include distribution models for species such as sharks and rays, corals ... More >>
Two New Species Found In ‘land Of Lizards’
Friday, 10 December 2021, 10:59 am | Department of Conservation
Genetic tests have confirmed two new lizard species from discoveries made during Department of Conservation surveys in South Island alpine areas last summer. A skink and a gecko – found in the Mataura Range in Southland and Nelson Lakes National ... More >>
Hector’s Dolphins Found On South Island Beaches
Thursday, 2 December 2021, 9:47 am | Department of Conservation
Four Hector’s dolphins were found dead on South Island beaches in the last two weeks of November. Department of Conservation Aquatic Director Elizabeth Heeg says it is too early to say what caused the deaths of the four dolphins, but DOC is grateful ... More >>
New Reserve For Kapitia Skinks
Friday, 26 November 2021, 2:29 pm | Department of Conservation
One hundred special skinks now have a safe new home with the establishment of the Department of Conservation’s predator free Kapitia Scientific Reserve near Hokitika. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2111/7c6d5882431438d71da8.jpeg" ... More >>
Eight Kaikōura Fur Seals Shot Dead
Monday, 22 November 2021, 10:05 am | Department of Conservation
An investigation into the deaths of 19 fur seals on the Kaikoura coast has revealed eight were shot. The deaths of the other seals are being treated as suspicious. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2111/14ea7991ffe715acfaa4.jpeg" ... More >>
DOC Announces Next Step For Reclassification Of Stewardship Land
Friday, 19 November 2021, 9:03 am | Department of Conservation
An important step has been taken to support the reclassification of stewardship land the Department of Conservation (DOC) has announced. “DOC is seeking public feedback on proposed legislative changes to streamline the reclassification process,” ... More >>
Concession Fee Waiver End Confirmed
Wednesday, 10 November 2021, 11:47 am | Department of Conservation
The concession fee waiver in place for tourism businesses operating on public conservation land will end on 31 December 2021, the Department of Conservation (DOC) has confirmed. Tourism concessionaires who use public conservation land have had nearly two years’ ... More >>
Black Robins Get Roommates For Breeding Season
Monday, 8 November 2021, 12:34 pm | Department of Conservation
Conservationists will spend their summer on a remote predator free island to try and find out why a population of critically endangered kākāruia/kārure/black robin is declining. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2111/4a5e8b64b82201f5c6ca.jpeg" ... More >>
Statistics Reveal Value Of New DOC Infringement System
Tuesday, 19 October 2021, 12:02 pm | Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has issued more than 200 infringement notices and taken 11 prosecutions since it launched its new electronic Compliance and Law Enforcement (CLE) system in late 2020. DOC’s acting National Compliance Manager ... More >>
Community Celebrates Project Pathway
Monday, 11 October 2021, 11:36 am | Department of Conservation
The new shared walking and cycling pathway through the West Coast community of Punakaiki is proving a hit with locals already. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2110/edab6c357a8db807f826.jpeg" width="560" height="720"> As well as walkers and mountain ... More >>
Parts Of Queen Charlotte Track Reopen This Weekend
Thursday, 23 September 2021, 9:23 am | Department of Conservation
The two end sections of the Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds are reopening this weekend after the Department of Conservation (DOC) repaired storm damage. The track sections from Anakiwa to Te Mahia Saddle and Meretoto/Ship Cove ... More >>
Stranded Orca Calf Documents Released
Wednesday, 22 September 2021, 10:17 am | Department of Conservation
Following strong public interest, the Department of Conservation (DOC) has today published a series of documents outlining its response to the orca calf stranding near Plimmerton, north of Wellington, in July this year. The young, unweaned orca ... More >>