Skip to content
Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai.

Site Menu

  • Home
  • Parks & recreation
    • Tracks & walks
    • Places to stay
    • National parks
    • Places to visit
    • Activity finder
    • Hunting
    • Plan & prepare
    • DOC maps: Discover the outdoors
  • By region
    • Northland
    • Auckland
    • Coromandel
    • Waikato
    • Bay of Plenty
    • East Coast
    • Central North Island
    • Taranaki
    • Manawatu/Whanganui
    • Hawke's Bay
    • Wairarapa
    • Wellington/Kapiti
    • Chatham Islands
    • Nelson/Tasman
    • Marlborough
    • West Coast
    • Canterbury
    • Otago
    • Fiordland
    • Southland
  • Conservation
    • Native animals
    • Threats & impacts
    • Marine & coastal
    • Native plants
    • Land & freshwater
    • Historic
    • Benefits of conservation
    • Endangered vs threatened species
  • Getting involved
    • Volunteer, join or start a project
    • Home & garden
    • Get trained
    • For teachers
    • Events & awards
    • NZ Conservation Authority & boards
    • Consultations
    • Partnerships & donations
  • About DOC
    • Jobs at DOC
    • Growing conservation
    • Structure
    • Role
    • News
    • Concessions & permits
    • Tenders
  • Publications
    • Parks & recreation
    • Conservation
    • Getting involved
    • About DOC
    • Science & technical
  • Contact us

Role

Vision, role overview and statutory mandate

You are here: About DOC > Role > Vision, role overview and statutory mandate

In this section:

  • Vision, role overview and statutory mandate
    • Vision, purpose and outcome
    • Conservation for prosperity
    • Overview of DOC's role
    • Statutory mandate
    • DOC's 25th anniversary exhibition

Vision, purpose and outcome

Read DOC's vision, purpose and outcome.

Conservation for prosperity

Conservation work is an investment in New Zealand’s prosperity because our environment plays a central role in our health and well-being, and wealth.

Overview of DOC's role

DOC’s responsibilities are captured in its Māori name Te Papa Atawhai. Te papa signifies a box or container (for taonga/treasures) and atawhai is the act of caring, nurturing or preserving.

Statutory mandate

DOC’s legislative mandate is the Conservation Act 1987 and other key statutes such as the National Parks Act 1980 and Reserves Act 1977.

DOC's 25th anniversary exhibition

The Department of Conservation (DOC) turned 25 years old in April 2012. To mark the anniversary an exhibition took place in the foyer of DOC's national office in Wellington. For those who missed the exhibition, it is available for download as a document.

 

Find out more

Publications

Publications about DOC's role

Learn more

NZCA and Conservation Boards

 
Conservation for prosperity. Tiakina te taiao, kia puawai
  • newzealand.govt.nz - connecting you to New Zealand central & local government services
  • Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Copyright
  • Privacy and security
  • Disclaimer
  • About this site