Funding for landowners
On behalf of New Zealanders the Department of Conservation looks after about one third of New Zealand's land area protected for scenic, scientific, recreational historic or cultural reasons.
This includes national parks and forest parks, reserves, river margins, some coastline and many offshore islands. Active conservation management of New Zealand's special places is undertaken including pest, weed and predator control, eco-system restoration, and mainland island management.
The department also works in partnership with associates and communities for conservation on private land initiatives.
This section provides examples of some of the land management conservation work undertaken by the department.
Located 800 kilometres south-east of Wellington, the Chatham Islands contain several of the world's most threatened bird and plant species, including Chatham Island black robin and taiko.
New Zealand's geological features include volcanoes, geothermal systems, glaciers and sand dunes.
This climate change project encompasses 250,000 ha of the catchments which run off the Kaimai Range.
On the southern slopes of Mt Ruapehu, DOC and Ngati Rangi iwi are involved in an ecological restoration project called Karioi Rahui.
This unique project, centred on the Whanganui National Park, is a partnership between Horizons Regional Council, DOC, landowners and iwi.
Learn what makes each of our five mainland islands special.
Together with the adjoining Ohao Blocks, this area has an outstanding natural landscape and high concentration of historic and archaeological sites.
The North Cape Scientific Reserve is an exceptionally important home to many plants and animals within the Te Paki area.
Operation Ark is a variation on the mainland island concept, using intensive pest control at specific sites in order to protect vulnerable populations of endangered species.
Find out about Poutiri ao ō Tāne, a unique ecological and social project aimed at bringing native wildlife back into the lives of people in Hawke's Bay.
Find out about Project Kākā, aimed at restoring a diverse native forest bird community to the Tararua Forest Park.
At Pukaha Mount Bruce in the northern Wairarapa you can experience some of New Zealand's most endangered wildlife up close and in the wild.
View information on an ambitious plan to 'heal' much of the land near Whangarei, including Pukenui Forest (DOC-administered portion), Whau Valley Catchment, Coronation Scenic Reserve, Whangarei Quarry Gardens, Barge Showgrounds.
The landscape, native species, ecosystems, recreation opportunities and historic and cultural heritage of New Zealand's high country has significant intrinsic value.
The Tui Mine is an abandoned mine site on the western flanks of Mt Te Aroha. The mine produced a range of base metals, including copper, lead and zinc from 1966 to 1973, when it was abandoned by Norpac Mining Co.
Situated in Pureora Forest Park, Waipapa is home to a number of New Zealand's native bird species. Learn about how an intensive pest management programme at Waipapa has resulted in an increase in native species.
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The value of conservation