The tūturuatu / tchūriwat’ / shore plover is a bird in need of urgent PR. With just 250 individuals left in the wild on a handful of predator-free islands, it is one of the world’s rarest shore birds, facing issues related to real estate, genetics and a pandemic. Through collaboration and cooperation with tangata whenua, tchakat henu, community groups, and other stakeholders, the DOC-led Shore Plover Recovery Programme aims to turn the tide on this bird’s fate. The ‘Tūturuatu Telegraph’ takes a closer look at what it takes to bring this unique species back from the brink of extinction. The Pūk ..read more

It may not be winter yet, but with daylight hours dwindling and temperatures beginning to drop, it’s certainly on the way. We’ve partnered with our friends at NZ Mountain Safety Council to share some top tips for how to dress in the great outdoors as we transition to the colder months. When heading into the great outdoors for a walk or tramp, the right clothing will not only ensure you have a more comfortable and enjoyable trip but could literally save your life. The key to success is careful planning – so you have what you need on hand for the changing conditions. The same general principles ..read more

We’re celebrating 20 years of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest predator free project to-date. Hear from a former DOC ranger who experienced the world first rat eradication as he shares the story of mysterious footprints, an explosion of wētā, and why making subantarctic islands predator-free is so important. Written by Janel Hull. Campbell Island, Motu Ihupuku is a thriving wildlife stronghold and a testament to Aotearoa New Zealand’s world-leadership in conservation. But it’s tucked away in a surprising location, 700 kilometres south of Aotearoa New Zealand’s South Island in the subantarctic is ..read more

Reminder – Great Walks bookings are opening between 28 May – 6 June for the 2024/25 season. DOC works hard to remind people our popular Great Walks can book out very quickly. Just like a concert, it’s first in first served- but every year we get a high number of queries around why people couldn’t secure their desired spot. From people asking if we gave all the best spots to tourism businesses even before bookings opened, to claims bulk bookings were being made by bots or, heaven forbid, Australians (seriously), we’ve heard it all. This blog tackles the most common misconceptions and provides a ..read more

Written by Environment Canterbury. About 200 trout have been relocated within Hororata’s Bealey Stream as part of a wider project to protect the ‘Nationally Critical’ Canterbury Mudfish/kōwaro. A native freshwater Canterbury Mudfish/kōwaro | Photo: © Rod Morris The Brown Trout were situated upstream of an underwater electric barrier, which is providing a safe haven for kōwaro in a pocket of habitat on Haldon Pastures Farm. The solar-powered ‘fish fence’ was activated in 2021 and is thought to be the first of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. It consists of three underwater iron structures ..read more

Te Ara Taiao, a Taranaki-based education programme teaching school children about the environment and culture around them has scaled up its work contributing to the nature ecology and mauri of the Taranaki Maunga landscape in the last few years with the support of the Department of Conservation (DOC). Patuha maunga (known as Kaitake), one of the maunga that students learn about In 2023, through the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill, the Crown recognised Taranaki Maunga as being a living being, and recognised the work done by Ngā Iwi o Taranaki in recent years to reactivate and strengthen ..read more

Written by Vanessa Mander, DOC’s Predator Free 2050 Communities Advisor. Life as a ranger means that you are at the front line and members of the public see us as a trusted source of best practice trapping information. The green uniform appears to act like a beacon of sorts in the field. I certainly found that!  Questions I have been asked:  “How do I find out what pests I’ve got?” to “What sort of humane traps are right for possums on my lifestyle block?”, to the very real, “my chickens are getting nailed by a stoat (or some other furry sod), what lures should I use in my traps to d ..read more

Do you feel like you’ve seen more reports of fires out in nature over the past few years? You aren’t wrong – larger, more intense wildfires are on the rise in New Zealand. 2019 Pigeon Valley fire : DOC The impacts of climate change are increasing the risk of wildfire for many parts of the country, and unfortunately, we are likely to see more fires over the coming years. More fires mean more chance of people being caught in them. If you are camping, tramping or biking over this period (especially in areas with high fire danger), it’s important to be aware of what to do in a wildfire and how to ..read more

Much like you, probably, I once considered gulls to be associated with the ocean and hot chips – that’s if I considered them at all. Working at the Department of Conservation has taught me to reconsider things. A gull by any other name You might think it’s silly that DOC keep insisting on calling them ‘gulls’, rather than seagulls – but it’s with good reason. None of these gulls reside exclusively next to the sea. Our largest, black-backed gulls (karoro in some dialects) are frequently seen in Tongariro National Park – about as far from the sea as you can get in Aotearoa! Kararo/black-backed g ..read more

An extract from a field diary of a ranger written in December 2023 during a monitoring trip to check on tokoeka kiwi chicks. (Includes nest cam footage!) By Angus Prichard, seasonal volunteer ranger DOC ranger holding a kiwi : Belle Gwilliam, Department of Conservation “I’ve got eyes on the chick” Monty whispered excitedly, indicating to me where I should stand. I quickly positioned myself to cover potential escape routes from the mossy tangle under which a young kiwi was hiding.   With a confidence that belied much experience, Monty reached into the dark hole. A smile of relief spre ..read more