Latest fromDepartment of Conservation

Hundreds of anglers busted fishing inside marine reserves
Official information reveals which areas around the country have become poaching hotspots.

'Good start': Post-cyclone whitebait ban over as catchers make up for lost time
The season didn't go ahead for most of last year after rāhui put in place.

'Very concerning': Large bird population drop in Hawke's Bay after Cyclone Gabrielle
'These endangered birds are an essential part of our coastal and freshwater ecosystems.'

Restoring rivers with community support
Tairāwhiti Wai Connections offers tailored support for catchment issues.

Feral animals are costing farmers a fortune - survey
Feral goats, pigs, deer and other wild animals are costing farmers at least $13m a year.

Public walking access to Cathedral Cove to be restored in time for summer
Work to restore Cathedral Cove access will be followed by a more permanent solution.

'The smell is horrendous': Walking track used as dumping site
Fly-tippers are dumping all sorts of waste on conservation land.

'Wish come true': Fishing couple capture magic of southern right whale
The southern right whale is rare in Northland, more common in subantarctic waters.

71 pilot whales die after stranding on Chatham Islands beach
All of them either died or were euthanised after it was clear refloating wasn't an option.

Hard to get to, but Cape Brett Hut open for stays with stunning Bay of Islands views
The Cape Brett Hut in the Bay of Islands reopens for public bookings after major repairs.

Possum control providing 'stark' difference to Coromandel forests
DOC compared areas where 1080 has been used to those where it has not.

Threatened bird dies in dog attack in Rotorua
Rotorua and Taupō are the main strongholds for dabchicks.

Actions to take during Conservation Week
DoC hopes the community will think about actions to take during Conservation Week.

Whanganui River whānau working together for nature
'The results are looking good for both land and people.'

'It is a treasure': Prolonged closure of hot springs
Supply chain issues and poor weather continue to plague the septic system replacement.

Community groups call for cash as they fight to help safeguard native species
A major report lays bare problems faced by NZ's crucially-important conservation groups.

Mercury Bay Boating Club moves step closer to new site for clubrooms
Mercury Bay Boating Club’s mission to relocate its clubrooms is a step closer.

Reality TV contestant kicked off US show after killing, eating protected weka bird in NZ
Starving contestant apologises for eating bird; DoC says the incident is 'unacceptable'.

Revealed: The mammoth cost of removing and burying beached whales
New Zealand is a hotspot for strandings, with more than 5000 recorded since 1840.

Could this be New Zealand’s next dark sky reserve?
The area could join six other communities in New Zealand with dark sky accreditation.

Extremely rare beaked whale washes ashore in Otago
'Since the 1800s, only six samples have ever been documented worldwide.'

Regional tourism organisation calls for $100 tourist levy
Coromandel's regional tourism organisation wants a big hike to the visitor levy.

Sanctuary Mountain closure a 'travesty' for biodiversity
It's home to 2500 kiwi birds but the sanctuary's financial troubles could see it close.

Take kea on the road: Five of the parrots killed by vehicles on Milford Road
Five kea have been hit and killed by vehicles at popular waypoints on Milford Road.

New Zealanders’ most attractive workplace revealed in new survey
Where do Kiwis most want to work?

Cathedral Cove to reopen in summer after $5m 'short term' fix
The Conservation Minister announced the Government funding boost on Wednesday.

Rotokura Reserve walk had 'precious' experience in store for local walkers
The reserve is in the Tongariro National Park.

Poor work blamed for Cape Rēinga slip, while climate change floods track
Fill which was poorly placed, then paved over, contributed to the slip in May 2023.

Teachers go outdoors for enlightenment
DoC and Waikato Regional Council staff develop programme for teachers.