DOC

Historic West Coast goldtown Waiuta will join Tohu Whenua, recognising it as one of New Zealand’s most treasured heritage places.

Visitors to Tongariro National Park are being asked to respect the values of the mountain in a new campaign from Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro and the Department of Conservation.

Ashpit and Brett Road campgrounds on the shores of Lake Rerewhakaaitu in Rotorua now require online bookings, as the Department of Conservation looked to manage the effects of increased domestic tourism the summer season. 

Gannet Beach Adventures tours at Cape Kidnappers will return to operations tomorrow after almost two years.

The Department of Conservation is seeking public input on the Kawarau/The Remarkables ahead of a review into the status of the lands and waters in the Remarkables Conservation Area.

An application by Fullers Group to operate guided tours on Rangitoto and Motutapu islands in the Hauraki Gulf should have been declined/

There will be a new public website providing weather and river flow forecasts to give people visiting national parks and other conservation areas more detailed information.

The Government’s Jobs for Nature programme is critical to keeping staff employed who otherwise have been let go, says Fox Glacier Guiding chief executive Rob Jewell.

DOC spent around $20,000 each year repairing damage.

The Department of Conservation has completed its planned Himalayan tahr control operations for 2020.

The Department of Conservation is reminding people to take care around marine mammals coming to shore this summer after the arrival of a leopard seal on a Taranaki beach.

With border restrictions and a call to support regions and domestic tourism operators, DOC was expecting more New Zealanders out and about this summer.

DOC is urging beach goers to drive carefully on the foreshore after a critically injured kekeno/seal pup had to be euthanised on a Christchurch beach.

The Department of Conservation will close public access to Tāne Mahuta, in Waipoua Forest, from Monday 16 November to Thursday 19 November 2020.

The department has waived most tourism-related fees to help struggling operators.

The edges and hillslopes of the 28-hectare reserve near Nelson were burnt by the fire that spread over 2400 hectares.

The Department of Conservation is reminding visitors to stick to the rules as an influx of visitors were found bringing dogs to Auckland islands, which are home to endangered species.

The Department of Conservation is seeking feedback on new areas identified for cycle tracks and trails on public conservation lands and waters across Otago.

Staff from Skydive Franz and Fox Glacier have been lending a hand to upgrade tracks in South Westland as part of the $1.3bn Jobs for Nature programme.

The Department of Conservation has appointed a new marine reserve ranger to help protect marine life in Tasman Bay’s two marine reserves.

The Department of Conservation is warning people about handling kororā/little blue penguins after reports of people in Napier posing images of themselves holding the birds on social media.

Queenstown Lakes District Council, the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai and Kāi Tahu will create a new safe viewing area along the Glenorchy-Queenstown road overlooking Lake Wakatipu.

From 2 November Mount Taranaki’s Pouakai Hut will move to online booking via the Department of Conservation’s website.

The Department of Conservation is urging those planning to camp at the Kauaeranga Valley to book early ahead of what it expects to be a busy summer season.

The Department of Conservation and Hastings District Council say visitor risk management work at Cape Kidnappers/Te Kauae-a-Māui should be completed by Labour Weekend, allowing people to access the DOC track.

Mt Taranaki’s popular backcountry Lake Dive Hut has been destroyed by a fire.

A helicopter company and pilot have been fined $32,000 for illegally dropping off and collecting hunters from a designated wilderness area in the Kaimanawa Ranges.

A Department of Conservation survey found that mental and physical health plus desire for connection with nature were the main motivations for people spending time outdoors.

The Department of Conservation is reminding visitors to the Mahaanui district in Otautahi/Christchurch to follow conservation laws. 

The Department of Conservation has finalised its Tahr Control Operational Plan for 2020/21 after meeting the Game Animal Council.

The country’s zoos, eco-sanctuaries, wildlife parks and rehabilitation facilities will share $9.6m to help them cope with the impacts of Covid-19.

Those breaking the conservation laws that protect natural places and native species may face fines as the Department of Conservation’s new enforcement system rolls out.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga has gained a $48,144 grant for a range of work in the Taramoukou Conservation Area in the northern Taranaki.    

July through to September were known as the ‘hauling out’ months for seals, with weaned pups coming ashore to rest, sometimes in what seem like unusual places.

This year’s Royal Cam toroa/albatross star has been named Atawhai, meaning ‘kindness’ or ‘care’, following record voters in the Name the Chick competition.

The money is from the Department of Conservation’s Community Fund/Pūtea Tautiaki Hapori.

The Department of Conservation has released its new Tahr Control Operational Plan for 2020/2021 after consultation with stakeholders.

DOC says the 15,000 people that visit each year all have a role to play in keeping the island predator free.

DOC is asking Waikato boaties to give give marine mammals a wide berth after footage emerged of a vessel appearing to collide with a whale off the coast near Raglan.

The Department of Conservation is asking snowmobile enthusiasts to keep to designated areas in the Old Man Range/Kopuwai conservation area in Otago.

Bookings opened at 9.30am yesterday with 500 made in the first 5 minutes and more than 1000 after the 10-minute mark.

A new loop track and bridge has been opened at Hokitika Gorge, creating a one-hour walking experience.

Hunters seeking a trophy Himalayan tahr can now access new maps showing where mature bulls were seen during recent control operations, says the Department of Conservation.

New Zealanders are being encouraged to focus on the well-being benefits of spending time in nature during Conservation Week.

All Department of Conservation offices, visitors centres, huts, campsites and lodges in the Auckland region are closed under Covid-19 alert level 3.

The Department of Conservation and Ministry of Social Development’s conservation training programme for job seekers in Canterbury has been extended for three years.

Conservation estate attractions could suffer more damage, become inaccessible or disappear, says a new report.

The tracks were extensively damaged by an extreme weather event in February 2020.

The Department of Conservation is urging Kiwis to get out and explore nature for this year’s Conservation Week, which runs from 15 – 23 August.

The cleaning operation required the use of a helicopter and its crew, a septic tank truck and several DOC staff to empty more than 3.5 tonnes of waste.