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Feature items

You are here: Features archive

In this section:

  • Features archive
    • Sirocco photo gallery
    • Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve 10 year anniversary
    • Tongariro/Taupo Summer Programme
    • Sirocco the kākāpō
    • Conservation blog
    • New Zealand's new maps
    • Conservation Week 2009
    • Whitebaiting
    • The latest Meet the Locals videos
    • Lord of the Rings locations
    • Report whale sightings
    • Community Conservation Fund
    • Australasia's top 25 restoration projects
    • Kākāpō ranger diaries
    • Online booking makeover
    • Historic icon sites
    • Seaweek 2009
    • Our best kept secrets
    • Encouraging backyard wildlife
    • Sharks/mangō
    • Community Conservation Fund
    • Matiu/Somes Island videos
    • New Meet the Locals videos
    • Raoul Island diary
    • Our native plants have grown!
    • World Environment Day
    • Arawai Kakariki wetlands restoration
    • Clarence Reserve Conservation Area
    • Great Walks
    • Seaweek 2008
    • Latest Meet the Locals videos
    • Places to visit
    • Hakatere Conservation Park
    • Frog Week 2007
    • Meet the Locals videos
    • Tiritiri Matangi
    • Hector's & Maui's dolphins
    • Easy recreation opportunities
    • Family-friendly Canterbury walks
    • Maui's dolphin
    • Hutton's shearwater
    • Places to visit by region
    • Molesworth Station
    • Community conservation projects
    • 500th royal albatross chick named
    • New DOC website
Sirocco gives his new friend Donna a kākāpō kiss.

Sirocco photo gallery

These photos show a day in the life of Sirocco on Ulva Island. The cheeky kākāpō gets a health check and gets smoochy with a new friend. Click the image to view the gallery.

Public diving in Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve. Photo: Jamie Quirk.

Marine reserve 10 year anniversary

Pack a picnic and join the celebrations to mark the tenth anniversary of Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve. Click the image to find out more.

Walking in the Waipakahi River after a helihike. Photo: Jimmy Johnson.

Tongariro Summer Programme

Get active in the park this summer! View and book summer programme events in Tongariro/Taupo. DOC staff and volunteers look forward to sharing their love of the area with you. Click the image to find out more.

Sirocco the kakapo. Photo: Mike Bodie.

Sirocco the kākāpō

A kākāpō who thinks he's human, Sirocco is a conservation ambassador and a media superstar. Click his photo to learn more.

Meet the Locals presenter Nic Vallance writes a blog post.

Conservation blog

The Conservation blog gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what DOC staff are up to and a chance to send us your comments.

Topo50 map icon over a section of a Topo50 map. Logo crown copyright LINZ.

New Zealand's new maps

New Zealand has moved to a new mapping system. If you use maps make sure you make the move too. Click the image to find out more.

Image of Nic Vallance from Conservation Week website.

Conservation Week

Find out what Conservation Week events are still happening. Click the image to follow Meet the Locals presenter Nic Vallance through our website and learn what's on in your area.

Whitebaiting at Okuru Estuary, Westland. Photo: Philippe Gerbeaux.

Whitebaiting

The whitebait fishing season opens on 15 August, except for the West Coast where it opens on 1 September. Click the picture to learn more.

Cartoon image of Meet the Locals host Nic Vallance. Image copyright: TVNZ.

The latest Meet the Locals videos

Click the image to view the most recent series of Meet the Locals videos.

Putangirua Pinnacles, location for The Dimholt Road. Photo: Claudia Hill.

Lord of the Rings locations

Find out about visiting the conservation areas that provided locations for Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films.

Southern right whale. Photo: Tui De Roy.

Report whale sightings

You can help DOC by reporting any sightings of humpback whales in the Cook Strait area and southern right whales along the New Zealand coastline. Click the image to find out more about whales and how to help.

Trees newly planted by a community group, being watered, Central Otago. Photo: Nicola Vallance.

Community Conservation Fund

Community group funding for restoration projects on public land is now open. Click the image to find out about your eligibility and how to apply.

Laying stoat trap tunnels on Resolution Island. Photo: Lindsay Wilson.

Top 25 restoration projects

Five DOC sites have been identified as being among Australasia's top 25 ecological restoration projects. Find out about these sites and the role DOC plays in restoration.

Three juvenile kākāpō. Photo: Don Merton.

Kākāpō ranger diaries

Kākāpō recovery rangers and volunteers who live and work on remote Whenua Hou/Codfish Island write about saving this incredible parrot. Click the image to read their diaries about life on the island and 2009's bumper breeding season.

A screenshot of the new system.

Online booking makeover

On Thursday 19 March DOC launched a new and improved online booking system. This system enables you to book some of the Great Walks, huts, campsites and other services. Click on the image to find out more.

Mountain biker on Hapuawhenua viaduct.

Historic icon sites

Icon sites tell a range of great stories about kiwi identity. Located in beautiful settings visitors can discover some of New Zealand's heritage at the same time as experiencing the outdoors. Click the image to find out more.

Diving in Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve. Photo: Roger Grace, EMR.

Seaweek 2009

Seaweek 2009 took place from 1 - 8 March. There are events and activities happening all over the country and ways to be inspired and take action. Find out how to take a closer look at our marine environment and get involved!

Family camping at Whirinaki Forest Park.

Our best kept secrets

NZ has many amazing places to go, but how do you choose where? Find out about some of NZ's best kept secret outdoor places.

Green gecko. Photo: J L Kendrick.

Encouraging backyard wildlife

You can make your garden attractive to native lizards, birds and weta. Click the image to find out how to provide them with food and shelter, and ways to protect them.

Shark. Photo copyright: Peter Mesley (DOC USE ONLY).

New Zealand's sharks/mangō

You might spot any of about 66 species of sharks in New Zealand waters, ranging from the 27cm long pygmy shark to the 12m whale shark. Click the image to find out more.

Restoration planting at Kahuterawa Bush in the Wanganui Conservancy.

Community Conservation Fund

Funding is available for community groups who want to undertake restoration projects on public land. Click on the image to find out more about the fund and how to apply.

Image of Matiu/Somes Island from the cover of the DVD.

Matiu/Somes Island videos

View videos about Wellington Harbour's historic Matiu/Somes Island. Find out about visiting the island and how you can get a copy of the DVD of the videos. Click the image to learn more.

Cartoon image from the title sequence of Meet the Locals.

New Meet the Locals videos

Check out the latest Meet the Locals videos. Learn the surprising stories of New Zealand's wildlife and wild places, and the people working to protect them. Click the image to watch the videos.

Getting onto the Naiad inflatable, Raoul Island. Photo: Liz Maire.

Raoul Island diary

Hear first-hand what it is like to volunteer on Raoul Island. Tales of the voyage out, cyclones, whale song, weeds and the secret... click the image to learn more.

Chatham Island forget-me-not.

Our native plants have grown!

You'll now find more than a dozen new native plant pages on the DOC website. Click the image to view them.

Tehezib Latiff and Jade Glastonbury from Palmerston North Intermediate School, helping DOC plant shrubs at Kahuterawa Bush, Linton. Photo: Ross Henderson.

World Environment Day

In 2008, World Environment Day and Arbor Day combine into one big celebration on 5 June. The theme for World Environment Day is Kick the Habit – Towards a Low Carbon Economy. Click the image to find out more.

Lake Roundabout, O Tu Wharekai (Ashburton lakes/Upper Rangitata river, Canterbury).

Arawai Kakariki wetlands restoration

The restoration of three of New Zealand's foremost wetlands is getting a boost from this new project. Click the photo to find out more.

Boulder in Clarence River bed. Photo: Gary Holz.

Clarence Reserve Conservation Area

Straddling the Seaward Kaikoura Range, Clarence features some of NZ's highest mountains outside the Southern Alps. You can explore the area by foot, mountain bike, horse, 4WD, raft, canoe or kayak. Click the photo to find out more.

Trampers on the Milford Track. Photo: Ligs Hoffman.

The Great Walks

Discover New Zealand's nine Great Walks located in some of the country's most beautiful scenery. Click on the picture above to find out about each track and how to plan and prepare for your trip.

Seaweek 2008.

Seaweek 2 - 9 March 2008

"One Ocean - It starts with me" is the theme of Seaweek 2008. Click the image to find out about the people, projects and programmes that are taking place around New Zealand to make a positive difference for the marine environment.

Cartoon image from the title sequence of Meet the Locals.

Latest Meet the Locals videos

Check out the latest Meet the Locals videos. Learn the surprising stories of New Zealand's wildlife and wild places, and the people working to protect them. Click the image to watch the videos.

Camping and canoeing, Mimiwhangata Coastal Park, Photo: Mike Edginton.

Places to visit

Learn about the parks, conservation areas, historic places and marine reserves that you can visit around the country. Click the image to start planning your summer trip today.

Swin River and the Taylor Range, Hakatere Conservation Park. Photo: G Iles.

Hakatere Conservation Park

Snow-capped mountains, crystal clear lakes and a popular skifield are included in the largest public park created in more than 20 years. Hakatere Conservation Park in mid-Canterbury is centred around the Ashburton Lakes District between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers. Click on the photo to find out more.

Maud island frog. Photo copyright: Tui De Roy (DOC USE ONLY).

Frog Week 21 - 27 October 2007

Frog Week is an opportunity for New Zealanders to learn more about our unique native frogs. Find out what's happening in your region by clicking the photo above.

Cartoon image from the title sequence of Meet the Locals.

Meet the Locals videos

Join DOC's Nic Vallance as she explores the surprising stories of New Zealand's wildlife and wild places, and the people working to protect them. Click the image to watch the videos.

Aerial view of Tiritiri Matangi Island and Whangaraparoa Peninsula.

Tiritiri Matangi

Tiritiri Matangi, on the Hauraki Gulf, is one of the most successful conservation projects in the world. As an open sanctuary you can visit Tiritiri Matangi and see some of New Zealand's most endangered birds in the wild, including takahe, kokako, kiwi, saddleback and hihi or stitchbird.

Hector's dolphin and calf. Photo: Al Hutt.

Hector's and Maui's dolphins

Click the photo to find out about Hector's and Maui's dolphins and read the draft Threat Management Plan which seeks to help these species. You can provide further input to the plan and have your say on the best proposed course of action to reduce threats.

Taking a toddler for a walk in Arthur's Pass National Park. Photo: Stuart Webb.

Easy recreation opportunities

Find recreation opportunities in your region that you can enjoy with children over the school holidays.

Walkers at Ōtukaikino Reserve.  Photo: S Webb.

Family-friendly Canterbury walks

We have recently added these easy access tracks and short walks in the Canterbury region to the website. They are suitable for people of all ages and abilities, and some can be accessed by wheelchairs and children's buggies. Click the picture to find out more.

Maui's dolphin. Photo: Judy Rodda.

Maui's dolphin

Maui's dolphin is the world's smallest dolphin and is found nowhere else in the world. With fewer than 150 left it is New Zealand's rarest dolphin. Recent evidence of a bacteria in a dead Maui's dolphin has prompted concerns for the future of the species. Click the photo to find out more.

Observing Hutton's shearwater feeding.

Hutton's shearwater

The nationally endangered Hutton's shearwater is the only New Zealand seabird that breeds in a sub-alpine environment. To help the species survive, DOC, with support from Ngai Tahu and Whale Watch Kaikoura Limited, is creating a new Hutton's shearwater colony.

Sea kayaking, Abel Tasman National Park.

Places to vist by region

Over Easter you can enjoy marine reserves, conservation lands and scenic reserves managed by DOC. Find out what's on offer in the region you're visiting.

Horse riding near Island Gully Hut, Molesworth Station. Photo: Herb Christophers.

Molesworth Station

New Zealand's largest farm, Molesworth Station illustrates how conservation, recreation and farming can co-exist.

Child and gecko, Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society's Conservation Week programme. Photo: Carla Vincent.

Community conservation projects

There are hundreds of community conservation projects working in partnership with DOC around the country – from restoring forests, coasts and wildlife to managing huts and tracks and historic places.

Taiaroa Head's 500th royal albatross chick.

500th royal albatross chick named

Conservation Minister Chris Carter has named the 500th royal albatross chick to hatch at Taiaroa Head/Pukekura on the Otago Peninsula, the only mainland breeding colony of albatross in the southern hemisphere.

Home page of the new DOC website.

New DOC website

The Department of Conservation’s website has been redeveloped.


 

Find out more

 

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