What’s the fuss about urban nature?
Source: Department of Conservation By Jo Kearns, Healthy Nature Healthy People Advisor New research, impressive both in scale and duration, shows green space is great for kids’ mental health. In March a major new study from Danish biologists was released. Read more about the study: Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk […]
Read More →When we see litterbugs
Source: Department of Conservation New Zealanders care about our nature and looking after it is the Kiwi way. Last week stories emerged about a family of visitors to our country who wreaked havoc everywhere they went, including leaving an obscene amount of litter at an Auckland beach. ?: Krista Curnow The saying ‘be a tidy […]
Read More →Some simple rules for drone users
Source: Department of Conservation Got a new drone for Christmas? Did you know the Civil Aviation Authority classify them as an aircraft? This means there are some rules you need to follow. These rules are not there to kill your fun – in fact there are some extremely important reasons behind them that you might […]
Read More →An impressive way to clean a toilet
Source: Department of Conservation Our parks and reserves are visited by droves of tourists over the busy summer season, most of whom will inevitably need to ‘answer the call of nature’ at some point during their visit. So how do we stop stop some of our most treasured conservation areas from turning into veritable toilets […]
Read More →Volunteer spotlight: Anaura Bay campsite
Source: Department of Conservation Without the passionate volunteers who help DOC in so many ways, we couldn’t deliver the vast array of conservation-based activities that take part across New Zealand’s public conservation lands and waters virtually 24/7. New Zealanders and our visitors are enriched by outdoor experiences. Volunteers play a vital role for conservation in […]
Read More →9 New Zealand tracks to explore this holiday season
Source: Department of Conservation ‘Tis the season for a lot of things, namely – getting outdoors and enjoying this beautiful country. In between all the festivities of the holidays, we expect a lot of New Zealanders and visitors will be looking to get moving in nature. We asked our local experts – the DOC rangers […]
Read More →Knowledge Base
Source: Walking Access New Zealand We have information about accessing the outdoors responsibly – including roads and walkways, rivers and lakes, and private land. We also have information on the using our GIS maps, creating new access, private land and what to do when there is a dispute. Use the tags below to narrow down […]
Read More →Tramping blind on the Kepler Track
Source: Department of Conservation By Sarah Wilcox Despite a visual impairment that means she can only see light and dark, Mary Fisher is a keen tramper and advocate for getting out and enjoying New Zealand’s natural environment. Sarah invited Mary to walk the Kepler Track with her group of 10 family members earlier this year. […]
Read More →Red tussocks are worthy of admiration
MIL OSI – Source: Department of Conservation – Release/Statement Headline: Red tussocks are worthy of admiration What is so special about the red tussock (Chionochloa rubra) on the Gouland Downs you might ask as you plod past them on the way to the next hut? Harry Broad, DOC writer in residence, explains why this “dull […]
Read More →The ultimate ten-day Northland, New Zealand itinerary
MIL OSI – Source: Department of Conservation – Release/Statement Headline: The ultimate ten-day Northland, New Zealand itinerary Planning on visiting Northland? This ten-day road trip itinerary will help you make the most of your visit to the beautiful north, and includes some of the best walks and hikes New Zealand has to offer. This itinerary […]
Read More →Unicycling through Molesworth Station
MIL OSI – Source: Department of Conservation – Release/Statement Headline: Unicycling through Molesworth Station Endurance sportsman Lee Griggs is attempting to cycle the Molesworth Station on a unicycle to raise funds for mental health. Lee tells us why… Living in the Lower Awatere Valley, I often gaze up the valley in awe of its natural […]
Read More →The ultimate two-week South Island, New Zealand itinerary
MIL OSI – Source: Department of Conservation – Release/Statement Headline: The ultimate two-week South Island, New Zealand itinerary Planning on visiting our scenic South Island? This two-week road trip itinerary will help you make the most of your visit to the rugged south, and includes some of the best walks and hikes New Zealand has […]
Read More →Top 7 things to do in Western Southland
MIL OSI – Source: Department of Conservation – Release/Statement Headline: Top 7 things to do in Western Southland Looking for the perfect summer adventure? Escape the city and head to the bottom of the world – Western Southland – a very special corner of New Zealand. Surrounded by the towering peaks of Fiordland to the west, the […]
Read More →Our stories of 2017
MIL OSI – Source: Department of Conservation – Release/Statement Headline: Our stories of 2017 2017 has been a big year for DOC and conservation. We look back at some of our stories over the year. January: A #RoyalCam star is born We welcomed the newest #RoyalCam star, who later in the year, would be given […]
Read More →Training tips for taking on a Great Walk
MIL OSI – Source: Department of Conservation – Release/Statement Headline: Training tips for taking on a Great Walk Dreaming of taking on one of the spectacular Great Walks but feel like you need some more training under your belt? Here are some helpful tips just for you… 1. Forget the elevator, take the stairs! First up let’s […]
Read More →Instagram-worthy walks you’ve probably never heard of
MIL OSI – Source: Department of Conservation – Release/Statement Headline: Instagram-worthy walks you’ve probably never heard of New Zealand is packed with dramatic landscapes and unique places that are perfect for filling up that Instagram feed. Here’s a few less-explored walks for you to snap some eye-poppin’ shots on this summer! 1. Mount Manaia Track […]
Read More →Get to know New Zealand better on a Great Ride
MIL OSI – Source: Department of Conservation – Release/Statement Headline: Get to know New Zealand better on a Great Ride By Sarah Bennett ‘Amazing landscapes’, ‘breathtaking scenery’ and ‘stunning vistas’ are all well and good, but this country deserves better than being judged on its looks alone. So why not saddle up this summer and […]
Read More →Keeping up with the Green Hut Track Group
MIL OSI – Source: Department of Conservation – Release/Statement Headline: Keeping up with the Green Hut Track Group By Ali Rogers, DOC. There’s a fantastic and dedicated group of volunteers in Dunedin. They head out every Wednesday, rain or shine, and clear DOC’s back-country tracks for hikers to enjoy. The Green Hut Track Group have […]
Read More →Queen Charlotte Track: A partnership with many
MIL OSI – Source: Department of Conservation – Release/Statement Headline: Queen Charlotte Track: A partnership with many The Queen Charlotte Track, while not an official Great Walk, is considered pretty great by the thousands of walkers and mountain bikers that experience all or part of it each year. But what makes it truly special, is […]
Read More →New Zealand winter hiking tips
MIL OSI – Source: Department of Conservation – Release/Statement Headline: New Zealand winter hiking tips “The mountain’s not going anywhere. If I play it safe today I can always come back and try again and again” – Sorrel, Ranger, Egmont National Park Visitor Centre Exploring New Zealand’s winter wilderness is an experience like no other. You’ll […]
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